The US government has agreed to sell warplanes and weapons to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram insurgents
Boko Haram insurgency has claimed many lives and property especially in the northern part of Nigeria in the last few years
The federal government is expected to receive a formal notification within weeks, setting in motion the deal with Nigeria
The Pentagon has informed the US Congress of the sale of 12 Super Tucano A-29 ground attack aircraft and weapons to Nigeria to fight the Boko Haram sect in the northern part of Nigeria.
According to Reuters, the Pentagon communicated the sale of the 12 ground attack aircraft valued at $593m (N181bn) to the US Congress on Monday August 28.
NAIJ.com gathered that the report quoted Pentagon’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency as having made the announcement to the US legislature.
The Super Tucano A-29, “an agile, propeller-driven plane with reconnaissance and surveillance as well as attack capabilities is made by Brazil’s Embraer.”
Nigeria is expected to receive formal notification within weeks, setting in motion the deal with Nigeria.
They added that the arrangement would call for Nigeria purchasing up to 12 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft with sophisticated targeting gear. Nigeria is expected to cough out $600m for the weapon.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that the New York Times, an American basedmedia asked the President Barack Obama-led administration to block the sale of 12 attack aircrafts to Nigeria.
However, watch NAIJ.com video of survivors of Boko Haram talking about the horrors inflicted by the terrorists:
Courtesy: NAIJ
I hope buying the warplane is worth it. Nigeria has been spending lots of money in the fight against boko haram yet people are still being killed especially in the north-east.
Those planes will eventually be directed against the freedom fighters in SS and SE. Fighting Boko Haram insurgents is only a pretense to secure the deal. Previous New York Times report is more accurate of the diplomatic position.
I hope they use it to fight the insurgents
Every body is buying f14 and f15 fighter jets and are buying WWII junk planes? Haba, Nigeria is that all we can do? Using 19th century technology to fight 21st century wars? Shame on Nigeria. Why not buy the new ones from Brazil where they are manufactured if we must go this route? Must we go boot leaking American Trump because we want to be a good boy? It’s really a shame that we are even bragging about obsolete planes!