US Secretary of State John Kerry stands as he delivers a speech on "the importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism'' at the Palace of the Sultan in Sokoto, on August 23, 2016. Kerry congratulated Nigeria on its recent military successes against Boko Haram, but warned the country will face a blowback if it "cracks down" on the Islamists with excessive force. The top US diplomat, who was in Kenya on August 22, is expected to discuss the Boko Haram insurgency, fighting corruption and boosting Nigeria's moribund economy that has been pummelled by the drop in global oil prices. / AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEIPIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images