Nigerian President says US arm ban backs Boko Haram

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has accused the US of backing the Boko Haram terrorist group by refusing to provide weapons to Nigeria, as BBC reports.

More specifically, a US law prevents the government from selling arms to countries which fail to tackle human rights abuses, such as Nigeria.
Boko Haram has killed some 10,000 people since 2009 and has also kidnapped hundreds of girls and women.

Last month, human rights group Amnesty International said that some 8,000 men and boys had died in Nigerian military custody after being detained as suspected militants.

The US has previously promised some $5m (£3.2m) in military assistance to the regional coalition helping to fight Boko Haram, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

However, Buhari heavily criticised the US, especially the Leahy Law, which links military sales to human rights.

The Nigerian President Barack Obama in Washington on Monday to seek further assistance.