Boko Haram: U.S Approves Sale Of $600m Fighter Jets To Nigeria

The United States of America has approved the sale of $600 million attack planes to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Officials of the Trump administration who revealed this said that this was done in other to strengthen Nigeria’s fire power against Boko Haram and other extremists.

Although the U.S has queried Nigerian security forces for human rights abuses, the military has denied such abuses.

Officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said Nigeria plans to buy up to 12 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from Colorado-based Sierra Nevada Corp.

The aircraft comes with sophisticated targeting equipment that the U.S says will help Nigeria fight terrorism, trafficking, insurgency and illicit trade.

Recall that former President Barack Obama, before transferring power, put the sale on hold after a Nigerian fighter jet repeatedly bombed a camp near the Cameroon border housing civilians who had fled Boko Haram.

Local officials have said more than 230 people were killed. The incident brought new attention to alleged abuses by Nigeria’s forces.

However, President Donald Trump, who said he supported the sale told President Muhammadu Buhari that it would increase American exports and help Nigeria fight terrorists.