Skip to main content

Catholic News Agency: BREAKING: American embassy in Lagos by Boko Haram, US Senate to debate


LAGOS - The American embassy in Lagos, Nigeria has been bombed on 24th August 2019, by two members of Boko Haram. The attack leaves 10 dead and hundreds others injured. It is understood that the insurgents had walked into the embassy loaded with explosives before detonating them.

This event is the latest and most brutal in the string of attacks launched by Boko Haram since their resurgence in the Kaouda, Blangoua and Makari regions of Nigeria. Other attacks include chemical attacks on citizens and the poisoning of Lake Chad, rendering it undrinkable for those living in the area.

Discussions are ongoing in the US Senate on whether to send in troops to tackle the situation and quash the insurgents are ongoing. National Security Advisor John Bolton addressed the senate, claiming that the attack “requires action for american citizens KILLED on American soil” The majority of the senate seems to be in favour as well about sending military support to back up troops in Nigeria to fight Boko Haram head on.

However, D-NY Sen. Kamala Harris urged the Senate to first pass legislation before sending in troops, in order to properly regulate the actions of the military in Nigeria in order to prevent a full-out war from breaking out, as did the Iraq War. She also reminded the council that ‘all military activities should be tailored towards the reduction of bloodshed of innocent parties and american citizens.”

Sen. Murkowski seemed to hold a similar stance. Though she agreed that “[the attack was] a preposterous act of war and an outrageous attack on our country”, she also advised that the use of ground troops and air strikes should be only as a last measure, while we should prioritize gathering more information via drones and the like in the meantime.

In accordance with Catholic principles, “the use of arms must not produce evils or disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated.” The church advises the US Senate to ensure that each action undertaken by the military, should they be sent, should be justified in that acting on it would reduce the number of lives lost as compared to should no action be taken.

Despite this, more and more people are dying as the senate continues to squabble while not taking any action.

We pray that the Senate will be able to arrive upon a solution with minimal bloodshed as soon as possible.

Comments