The U.S could lift a ban on shipping arms to the military to help fight Boko Haram if there is an improvement in Nigeria's human rights record, U.S. Congress members said on Tuesday.
The four lawmakers, who visited Abuja said the U.S would provide more support for the fight against Boko Haram, if alleged abuses are investigated and perpetrators punished by the government Reuters reports.
A report by Amnesty International in June alleged that more than 8,000 people died in military detention so the military is being accused of violating
human rights in its fight against Boko Haram.
human rights in its fight against Boko Haram.
The Leahy amendment prohibits the United States from offering weapons or training to countries where there is credible information that authorities have committed human rights abuses.
Darrell Issa, a Republican congressman from California, assured that if President Buhari's administration deals quickly with the allegations of human rights abuses, the U.S will lift the Leahy amendment.
According to him, "If they do that, we will lift the Leahy amendment, no questions at all. So it is within the Nigerian government's authority and we encourage them to do so."
President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration would investigate allegations of abuses by the military and bring to justice anyone found guilty of wrongdoing.
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