US gives vehicles to Nigeria army; insurgents attack village

Entwistle said that his government was donating the vehicles through its Excess Defense Articles Programme, adding that the Nigerian Government arranged for the transportation of the vehicles to Lagos from the U.S.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Public Affairs section of the Consulate-General in Lagos on Wednesday.

As part of its continuing support to the government and people of Nigeria to fight and defeat Boko Haram, the United States government has donated 24 Mine-Resistant Armour-Protected (MRAP) vehicles to Nigerian military authorities.

The vehicles are reported to be worth a whooping $11 million.

“We express our most profound gratitude for the gift of Mine Resistant Ambush-protected vehicle to the Nigerian Army”.

“Well, like Oliver Twist, we still want to call on the US Government to support us in providing the necessary spare parts for the vehicles”. “The 24 vehicles cost $11million, the other eight cost $7.4 million”.

One rescued victim told reporters they had been trapped for five months since Boko Haram took over their area.

“I know some will argue that unlike the NTA, FRCN or VON, they are privately owned and they need to make money to pay their workers and run their stations”.

The Excess Defence Articles Programme is created to transfer excess military equipment from the U.S.to foreign governments or global organisations to help with modernisation of partner nations’ military capabilities. Others will need some body, electrical works. “We have provided extensive training programmes, logistical supports, and equipment to the Nigerian armed forces and we will continue to do so”.

“So, these vehicles were gladly provided when Nigerian Army asked”. Garba, however, did not expand on the results obtained in the Boko Haram fightback, but a humanitarian source said direct clashes between the group and Niger soldiers had “almost ceased”.

“We have been discussing on this and we are working out conditions on how that can be done”.