US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday congratulated Nigeria on its recent military successes against Boko Haram while warning against the use of excessive force to fight extremists. Speaking at a press conference in the northern city of Sokoto, Kerry praised Nigeria for reclaiming swathes of territory from Boko Haram and releasing thousands of hostages over the past year. Nigeria has made "important progress", Kerry said. "Nigeria and its neighbours are degrading Boko Haram's capabilities."
But Kerry cautioned against a heavy-handed response and emphasised respect for human rights. "In the wake of terrorist activity, some are tempted to crack down on anyone and everyone," Kerry said. "But extremism can't be defeated through repression or fear. Fear instilled through repression invites not confidence but contempt," Kerry said, "it creates terrorists."
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have accused Nigerian troops of excessive force and extra-judicial killings of suspected Boko Haram insurgents, hundreds of Shia Muslims and pro-Biafra protestors. The military has denied the charges. On his third visit to Nigeria in less than two years, Kerry met with traditional and religious leaders, including Sokoto Sultan Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar. Kerry appealed to Nigerians to practise equality and tolerance to "overcome deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions." Kerry is due to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari later on Tuesday in the Nigerian capital of Abuja as part of a three-nation tour focussed on counterterrorism.