Despite the recent objection by the Nigerian Shiite group, Islamic Movement of Nigeria in a letter which was dated August 17 and signed by the head of the Free Zakzaky Campaign Committee, Abdulrahaman Abubakar cited “appalling human rights record” of Nigerian military as the reason for the group’s “vehement objection to the proposed sale of weapons and military hardware to the government of Nigeria” written to the United States government urging it not to sell weapons or any military hardware to the Nigerian government, the US government has agreed to sell warplanes and weapons to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram insurgents.
On Monday August 28, Reuters reported that the Pentagon informed the US Congress of the sale of 12 Super Tucano A-29 ground attack aircraft and weapons valued at $593m (N181bn)to Nigeria to fight the Boko Haram sect in the northern part of Nigeria.
Furthermore, 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.
The federal government is expected to receive a formal notification within weeks, setting in motion the deal with Nigeria says US officials.
They added that the arrangement would call for Nigeria purchasing up to 12 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft with sophisticated targeting gear .
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