The Nigerian army says it is yet
to get $1 billion approved to fight insurgency and other security challenges in
the country.
In 2017, the national economic
council (NEC) approved the request of the current administration to withdraw $1
billion from the excess crude account (ECA) for the fight against insurgency.
Fielding questions on Weekend
File, a news programme on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Sani Usman,
spokesman of the army, said the money is still being processed.
“People should understand also
that this is a democratic system in which procurement and of course funding of
defense related issues takes such a long time,” he said.
“Take for instance the issue of
the $1 billion approved recently by Mr. President, up till now the process is
ongoing. The ministry of defense is still pursuing the matter to the point that
when it is done, the armed forces will definitely get more equipment, more arms
and ammunition.”
In April, Garba Shehu,
presidential spokesman, had said the president’s approval wasn’t final as a
draft bill would be sent to the national assembly for consideration.
Usman, however, said at the
moment, what the armed forces have and what have been procured over the last
two to three years is being used judiciously.
Recently, Boko Haram insurgents
attacked military formations in the north-east, and many had blamed this on
lack of sufficient equipment, but Usman said “to the best of our abilities, all
the necessary equipment, ammunition and arms are being given.”
He expressed sadness over the
recent killings of troops, and said legal action would be taken on those
fabricating figures around the casualties.
“So sad and unfortunate that our
troops came under enemy attack on the 18th of last month and we suffered
causality as we mentioned. Sadly, we lost 23 gallant officers and men and of
course some of them sustained injuries,” he said.
“In respect of the effort, we are
trying as much as possible to make sure that first and foremost we give timely
and accurate information on all our activities and operations bearing national
security concern.
“And then secondly, we have gone
a north further to identify where those fake news and fabricated stories are
coming from, and definitely our legal department is taking step to make sure
that all those involved would be taken to court.
He added that Tukur Buratai,
chief of army staff, and the hierarchy of the army have been going round to
meet with the troops in different locations.
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Army has not received their own yet the makers of the jet fighters in America have received theirs. Na wa o.
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