The Nigerian government is set to reach a 600 million dollar deal with the United States of America for the transfer of 12 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to the country.
The 12 fighter jets which possess sophisticated targeting gear are set to be deployed to the northeast for the prosecution of the ongoing battle against Boko Haram terrorists.
According to the Associated Press, President Donald Trump had approved the deal while Congress is expected to receive formal notification within weeks.
The Defence Headquarters, Abuja, had told journalists last week that the US was one of the countries that had agreed to help Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram.
“It is worthy of note that some countries such as Britain, USA and France among others provided one form of assistance to the military in our effort so far in the North-East. It is hoped that the collaboration would continue to ensure that this evil of terrorism is eliminated from Nigeria and equally degraded globally,” the Director, Defence Information, Maj-Gen. John Enenche, said.
The AP notes that Nigeria has been trying to buy the aircraft since 2015.
A White House statement released after President Trump spoke to his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, had said: “President Trump expressed support for the sale of aircraft from the United States to support Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram.”
The AP reports further that the A-29 sale would improve the US relationship with Nigeria, Africa’s largest consumer market of 170 million people, the continent’s biggest economy and its second-largest oil producer.
