In line with its resolve promise to assists Nigerian military in the ongoing fight against insurgency, the United States Government Thursday donated 24 used armoured personnel carriers to the Nigerian Army.
The US Defence Attache to Nigeria, Col Patrick Doyle, who represented the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Kames Entwistle, handed over the vehicles at a brief ceremony held in Lagos:
He had this to say: ”For many years the Nigerian armed forces has been a strong partner of the United States.
“We have asked for your support in many endeavours, in particular throughout West Africa and you have responded.
“I believe United States government security cooperation commitment is second to none. We have provided extensive training programmes, logistical supports, and equipment to the Nigerian armed forces and we will continue to do so.”
According to the Defence Attaché, half of the 24 vehicles are in good working condition with minor repair work required.
He spoke further, “When the Nigerian army inspected the vehicles a few months back, they selected the best vehicles that they could find,” he said.
”The reason we are giving the vehicles, we have the Excess Defence Programme, is because we are downsizing forces in our military, we have left Iraq with our forces and we have downsized our forces in Afghanistan and we do not need all these vehicles anymore. So Nigeria asked for these vehicles and we gladly provided it to them.”
The Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Dan Alli (rtd) said, “We express our most profound gratitude to the US Government for this donation.
“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.”
He was represented by Major General Barry Ndiomu, the Chief of Training and Operations at the Defence Headquarters.
