WASHINGTON, December 6 (Sputnik) — Nigeria's ending of the US sponsored training program for the country's army will not affect the bilateral security cooperation, a US Department of State official told Sputnik.
"This [termination of the training program] will not affect the ability of the US government to continue other aspects of our bilateral security relationship, as well as all other assistance programs, with Nigeria," the official stated Friday.
On Friday, the Nigerian government terminated the third phase of training of a Nigerian Army battalion by the US forces. The authorities reportedly explained the move by logistical reasons.
"We regret the premature termination of this training sponsored by the US Government to strengthen the Nigerian Army's capacity to counter Boko Haram," the official said.
Boko Haram is the most prominent extremist group in the country aiming at imposing the Sharia law on the territory of Nigeria. The extremists are behind the majority of the terrorist attacks in the country.
In late November, several bomb explosions and gunfire near the central mosque in the Nigerian city of Kano killed at least 120 people and injured more than 270, according to media reports. Boko Haram group is suspected of carrying out the attack.