US might be sending Nigeria weapons to fight terrorists

The US had earlier refused to sell weapons to the West African country due to the Leahy Law which restricts the sale of arms to countries accused of human rights abuses.

According to reports, the US government might have concluded plans to send weapons to Nigeria to aid the fight against terrorist sect, Boko Haram.

The US had earlier refused to sell weapons to the West African country due to the Leahy Law which restricts the sale of arms to countries accused of human rights abuses.

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Buhari meets US Secretary of State, John Kerry.

 (Vanguard)

Radio France Internationale (RFI) reports that US Defence Security Cooperation Agency records show that the country’s Department of Defence is set to transfer military material to Nigeria.

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President Muhammadu Buhari meets with US President Barack Obama in the Oval office.

 (Zimbio)

Some of the items expected to be sent to Nigeria, according to RFI, are Caiman trucks and armoured vehicles known as MaxxPro MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) among others.

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President Muhammadu Buhari speaks at U.S. Institute of Peace during his visit to the country.

 (SaharaReporters)

A spokesperson for the US State Department, Noel Clayhowever told Punch that only Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence could confirm details of the said transfer.

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President Muhammadu Buhari and Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau

 (Daily Review)

President Muhammadu Buhari had said, during his trip to the US in July 2015, that the US’ refusal to sell arms to Nigeria had hampered the fight against Boko Haram.

A US congress delegation which visited Buhari in August however denied that the country had placed an arms embargo on Nigeria.