Secretary of State John Kerry will said Friday he plans to visit Nigeria “in a couple of days” ahead of the nation’s upcoming elections.
Mr. Kerry made the announcement in Davos where he gave an address to global business and political leaders on countering violent extremism, Reuters reported.
Deputy department spokeswoman Marie Harf announced Mr. Kerry would be traveling to the Nigerian capitol of Lagos on Sunday to “emphasize importance of upcoming elections being peaceful, non-violent, and credible.”
Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan faces strong competition from opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari, a former military general who briefly governed the country from 1983 to 1985 after staging a military coup.
Mr. Kerry will meet with both candidates during his visit.
The northeastern region of Nigeria has been ravaged by terrorist group Boko Haram, with recent reports alleging that the Islamic extremists may have killed 2,000 people in a massive raid in Baga.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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