UN backs Nigeria to defeat Boko Haram insurgency

LAGOS (Xinhua) - The UN on Saturday pledged its support for Nigeria to defeat Boko Haram as well as conduct free, fair and transparent elections in February.

The Representative of the UN Secretary-General in West Africa and the UN High Representative in Nigeria, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, made the pledge in northern Sokoto during a visit to Governor Aliyu Wamakko.

"The UN, just like the international community, was appalled with the recent raid on Baga town in Borno and this is a crime against humanity and the Boko Haram insurgents are 'unAfrican and unNigerian' and they must be stamped out,'' he said.

On the polls, Chambas urged Nigerians not to see the election days and the intervals therein to signal doomsdays.

"Nigeria has strategic roles to play in Africa and globally, and all eyes are now on the country to conduct free, fair, credible, transparent and acceptable polls," he added.

According to Chambas, the UN and all the members of the international community will rally round Nigeria.

He called on the electoral commission to remain impartial and to conduct free, fair and acceptable elections.

"The security agencies must also provide the level-playing ground for Nigerians to elect the candidates of their choice devoid of any intimidation or molestation and the leaders must also send the right message to their followers that elections are about freedom of choices,'' Chambas said.

Responding, Wamakko commended the envoy for the visit, describing it as timely and apt.

He called for more stringent and sincere efforts to curb terrorism and all acts of insurgency in the country.

"Nigeria had overcome a bloody 30-month civil war and had contributed to various peace keeping operations across the world," he added.

"We are still optimistic that Nigeria can defeat Boko Haram if the enabling environment and proper political will are garnered," the governor said.

He promised to provide the needed moral and financial support to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible polls.