The United States should reconsider its restrictions that prohibit sales of certain weapons to Nigeria, Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said on Wednesday.
"There are certain restrictions, through the Leahy Law, for instance, that prohibit the sale of certain kinetic equipment to [our] military and to our security agencies. This is something that has to be reevaluated," Tuggar said during a conversation at the Wilson Center.
The minister also drew attention to allegations of human rights abuses that resulted in countries like the US stopping the sale of necessary weapons to Nigeria thus undermining its ability to counter terrorism and other major threats.
"This must change. While we accept that there have been isolated incidents of abuse, the Nigerian army and security institutions, while fighting enemies that have used children as suicide bombers to attack markets and other soft targets, remain committed to human rights," Tuggar said.
The security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated in recent years, with a number of security threats ranging from the activities of Boko Haram and other extremist organizations to kidnappings for ransom and criminal looting. At the same time, the country's government has faced criticism over alleged abuses against civilians committed by the country's military forces.
The Leahy Law comprises two statutory provisions that prevent the US authorities from assisting foreign security forces units when there is a credible information of gross violations of human rights committed by a unit.