T here are indications that the United States
government is sending arms to the Nigerian
military in its efforts to crush Boko Haram.
Facts that the US might start sending arms to
Nigeria came on the heels of the US Ambassador
to Nigeria, James Entwistle’s revelation in an
interview with one of our correspondents that the
US government never placed arms embargo on
Nigeria.
“There’s been a lot of misunderstanding on this
issue before, during and after President
Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Washington. Let me
be clear about a couple of things. One, we had
worked very closely with Nigeria on the Leahy
Amendment….The second piece of
misinformation, which has been bandied about in
(newspapers’) headlines, is that the US has lifted
its arms embargo on Nigeria. There was never an
arms embargo,” Entwistle said.
According to Radio France Internationale, the US
Defence Security Cooperation Agency records
show that the country’s Department of Defence is
set to transfer military material to Nigeria.
The RFI noted that a DSCA list of “so-called
Excess Defence Articles” slated for Nigeria
indicated that the US Army was about to transfer
Caiman trucks, armoured vehicles designed “to
defeat current and emerging threats,” according
to their manufacturer, British-based BAE Systems.
The RFI added that the US government was also
sending armoured vehicles known as MaxxPro
MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected), made
by Navistar Defence, an Illinois company, and
Israeli-based Plasan Sasa.
It is unclear which Nigerian military units will
receive the equipment, but the report said that
the US government had confirmed that deliveries
were pending.
When The PUNCH contacted the Department of
State to confirm the types of military hardware
the US would be sending and when deliveries of
the weapons would be made, the newspaper was
directed to contact Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence.
The spokesperson for the US State Department,
Noel Clay, via an email to The PUNCH, said, “The
United States is set to expand its efforts to
provide bilateral security assistance to Nigeria to
counter Boko Haram. We will refer you to the
Nigerian MoD to confirm the arrival of any US-
origin material, but we can say that a key
component of our security assistance to Nigeria
in recent years has been training on the
importance of respect for human rights and
professional military conduct.
“Impunity for human rights violations by security
forces not only tarnishes Nigeria’s reputation, but
cannot prohibit us from engaging with involved
units. We will continue to work with the Nigerian
military to ensure they conduct disciplined military
operations in accordance with clear rules of
engagement and international law; treat all
detainees humanely; allow access to independent
monitors to all detention facilities; and hold
accountable the perpetrators of unlawful
violence.”
Meanwhile, a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu
Gowon, has said prayer is the best weapon
against terrorism.
Gowon, who is also the founder of Nigeria Prays,
a non-profit organisation, said this on Sunday at
the National Prayer Rally, which held at the Olive
Tree Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of
God, Ikoyi, Lagos.
He observed that Boko Haram insurgency had
been the most disturbing of all the problems of
Nigeria.
“There is need for Nigerians to begin to change
their orientation and begin to pray according to
the will and purpose of God. The only way prayer
can be of benefit to all is for us to ask that
God’s will be done. We should pray that God will
answer our prayers in way that it will be a
blessing to all,” he said,
Gowon, as Nigeria’s ruler between 1966 and
1975, prosecuted the Nigeria-Biafra civil war.
He said the incessant suicide bombings in the
country were enough cause for worry.
He said, “It is sad that some people wilfully take
their lives and the lives of others. This is a great
concern. There is no longer respect for lives.
There is no regard for human dignity. This is
worrisome. That is why I really want to appeal to
Nigerians to raise an altar of prayer for Nigeria.
We should consistently pray and constantly ask
that God will cause his mercy to flow in our
nation. The bloodletting is embarrassing and
ungodly. It is time for us to raise our voices and
cry to God for His mercy on our land.
“If God could save the Biblical Saul who later
became Paul, I am confident that God can touch
the lives of these people called Boko Haram. We
know they are faceless and nobody knows their
agenda. That is why I believe that it is only God
who can really intervene in their lives and bring a
change.”
[url]http://saharareporters.com/2015/08/17/us-sending-arms-nigeria-–-report[/url]
cc: lalasticlala

Good move US. Goodluck PMB! Never again should miscreants dictate and determine the fortunes of a people in this country.

This is the kinda news I want from SaraReporters not posting fake documents of public office holders just to score cheap points !!!

Hmm


. With the USA involvement in the arms supply. surely, their must be a great price we had to pay



well. PMB Nice move!

Ok thanks

When the weapons arrive Naija 1st...
Na wen I go complete my comment........................... .................................................... ..................