His remarks, on a visit to the African giant, follow claims from Abuja that airstrikes have killed and wounded a number of Boko Haram leaders, including the supreme commander Abubaker Shekau.

Nigeria’s military ’s long been dogged by evidence that it has killed civilians, tortured prisoners and, more recently,  detained mothers, children and other victims who’ve been kidnapped by Boko Haram.

Kerry says it is understandable in the wake of terrorist activity, that some people are tempted to crackdown on everyone and anyone who could theoretically pose some sort of a threat.

He cautions that extremism cannot be defeated through repression.

Worries about human rights abuses have in the past undercut Nigerian efforts to buy American weapons .

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