Written by Camillus Eboh | From Reuters

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday sought approval from parliament to borrow up to $1 billion abroad to help the armed forces tackle the security threat posed by the Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram.

Jonathan, facing intense criticism at homeand overseas for his government’s failure to curb a spreading campaign of violence by the Islamist militants, made the request in a letter read to Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives.

His government is accused by critics of not doing enough to protect civilians in Africa’s biggest economy and oil producer from Boko Haram, which has killed thousands and abducted hundreds since launching an uprising in the northeast in 2009.

“You are no doubt cognisant of the on-going and serious security challenges which the nation is facing as typified by the Boko-Haram terrorist threat,” Jonathan said in the request, read to deputies by the leaders of the Senate and House.

“For this reason, I seek the concurrence of the National Assembly for external borrowing of not more than $1 billion,” the president said, adding this would be used to upgrade the equipment, training and logistics of the security forces.

Read more at Reuters