Boko Haram: Nigeria approaches China for arms and ammunition
– The ongoing fight against Islamist group, Boko Haram is already yielding results
– But the Nigerian government is not resting on its oars
– The government is discussing with friendly countries to assist Nigeria to finally finish off the insurgents
Nigeria is discussing with some friendly nations, particularly China to help the Nigerian military with arms, ammunition and equipment to conclude the ongoing war with Islamist group, Boko Haram.
This was disclosed by the minister of foreign affairs, Mr Geoffery Onyeama yesterday, May 13, while briefing journalists on the 2nd Regional Security Summit that will be held today, May 13 in Abuja.
Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama
The summit which has the theme: “Consolidating Collective efforts for Regional Peace and Development.” will be chaired by French president, Francois Hollande.
Onyeama said: “The MNJTF has made tremendous progress in the last one year. Like Mr. President alluded there was a time about 14 local government areas were under the Boko Haram control but today, they are no longer in control. We are also working together with the frontline states in the areas of intelligence sharing. So, in the military dimension we are going to look at the mechanism of cooperation and coordination.
“On the need for more weapons and other, we are engaging with various partners like China, which has asked us to indicate where we will need military assistance and as well as other Western countries. The goodwill is there for assistance from our friends and partners. So, it’s just the resources and process to get the equipment.”
On his part, the commander of MNJTF, Major-General Lamidi Adeosun disclosed that huge progress had been made by the security forces in the ongoing Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency operations (CT COIN) in parts of the North-east.
He noted that despite the progress made in defeating the terrorists in the past one year, there was need for more financial resources to sustain security around the region.
According to him, some of challenges confronting them include; “inadequate lift capability, limitation on IEDs/mine capability, inadequate amphibious equipment and lack of flat bottom boat, lack of air capability and difficulty in sustaining troops”.
“The MNJTF lift capability should be enhanced by the troop contributing countries; mine/IEDs detection and destruction equipment and capability should be enhanced across the sectors.
“International organisations and other relevant partners should be encouraged to redeem their pledges for assistance in the provision of support to MNJTF and in support of humanitarian activities in the liberated areas within MNJTF area of responsibility; and the heads of states should approve the upgrade of Sub Sector 3 to Sector 4 with a strength of 2000 troops as proposed,” Adeosun said.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the widely reported #DasukiGate scandal as a propaganda of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
In a series of tweets this morning, the PDP stated that the Buhari administration has not bought any arm or ammunition for the Nigerian military since it came on board last year.
Read the tweets below:
It has been 1year and the Nigerian Army has not run out of ammunition or bullets like they were making you to believe during the campaign.
— PDP Nigeria (@PdpNigeria) May 14, 2016
Does anyone still believe their propaganda that $2.1b arms money was looted?
— PDP Nigeria (@PdpNigeria) May 14, 2016
They have not bought even a Pocket Pistol for the Nigerian Army since they were sworn in on May 29th, 2015. pic.twitter.com/2tb1GINMeF
— PDP Nigeria (@PdpNigeria) May 14, 2016
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