Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) released the following statement on reports that the Pentagon is planning to send U.S. Special Forces as advisers to Nigeria:

“I am glad the administration is considering sending U.S. Special Forces to Nigeria to assist in the fight against Boko Haram.  Boko Haram is one of the world’s deadliest terrorist organizations and recently joined forces with ISIS; the U.S. can’t allow it to continue spreading carnage and chaos throughout Nigeria and West Africa.

“Through hearings and legislation, I have consistently advocated that our Special Forces have a unique role to play in helping to root out and destroy these radical Islamist terrorists.  Our military has unmatched expertise in advising partner forces, has done so effectively in Africa, and can provide the high-level guidance that is crucially missing in the fight against Boko Haram.

“The Secretaries of State and Defense should not delay in approving these deployments.  But make no mistake: success in the fight against Boko Haram ultimately depends on the Nigerian military and the forces of neighboring countries.”

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