On Wednesday, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari accused the U.S. government of aiding Boko Haram in terrorizing Nigeria. This is in accordance with the Leahy Law, which prevents the selling of arms because of humans right allegations. In his speech at the United Institute for Peace, Buhari mentioned how the Leahy Law denies Nigeria of "access to appropriate strategic weapons to prosecute the war," reported the Conservative Tribune.
The United States government previously stopped a transaction that included the purchase of a Bell AH-1 Cobra Helicopter that originated from Israel. Since the U.S. manufactured the helicopters originally, it applied its veto power, added the Conservative Tribune.
Buhari said the Obama administration "has aided and abetted the Boko Haram terrorist group in the prosecution of its extremist ideology and hate, the indiscriminate killings and maiming of civilians, in raping of women and girls, and in their other heinous crimes."
But by Friday, the Nigerian president denied the spreading news, and said it is "untrue and widely off the mark."
Femi Adesina, the president's spokesperson, said it was a misinterpretation and the remarks were distorted, according to the Premium Times.
"President Buhari has nothing but the highest possible regard for President Obama, the United States government, the people of the United States, their laws and institutions," said Adesina.
Twenty-nine people were killed and 105 were wounded July 22 after Boko Haram bombed Gombe, a town northeast of Nigeria. Thursday, Buhari returned after a four-day visit to the U.S. where he failed to have his request granted. Since the Leahy Law prevents the sale of arms to Nigeria, their armed forces remain crippled, reported the New York Post.
Over 10,000 people were killed by Boko Haram in Nigeria since 2009. Girls were kidnapped, turned into slaves and married to the jihadis. Boko Haram has declared itself the "West Africa province" of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, according to the Washington Examiner.
