Jonathan’s Administration Acquired Sophisticated Weapons To Fight Boko Haram – Dasuki | #NigeriaNews

Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) said that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan facilitated the acquisition of weapons for the military in the last one year that helped in the recovery of many local governments that were occupied by Boko Haram terrorists.

Dasuki named some of the acquired weapons to include Alpha jets, APCs, MRAP vehicles, advanced artillery pieces, assorted arms and ammunitions, as well as highly sophisticated surveillance drones. The administration also deployed Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles that were bought and could withstand improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and ambushes. 

“The vehicles had protected our troops from the land mine threats. We are glad that we also provided assorted Armoured Personnel Carriers to transport troops to the battlefield. They are armed for self-defence and to provide protection from attacks from shrapnel and small arms fire,” the former NSA said during a chat with PRNigeria, a Public Relations firm based in Abuja.

“All these were acquired in the last one year after years of frustration by Western powers who denied us of the equipment and sabotage our efforts to acquire same from other sources which are reasons for some delay in delivery.”

Dasuki further said that some other arms already paid for by the previous administration are due to be delivered soon. 

“It was unfortunate that some elements were frustrating the efforts as we even had to query some suppliers for delay in delivery of arms and ammunitions. We utilised some of these equipment to recover more than 22 local governments under Boko Haram terrorists and ensured that Shekau did not disrupt the 2015 election as he had threatened. 

“Not only did we ensure that the elections were peaceful, Shekau has never spoken to threaten anyone again since then. In an attempt to rubbish individuals for whatever reasons, political or otherwise, we should be careful not to rubbish sensitive institutions and their personnel that might still be in active the service.

“It is unfortunate that some elements hide under the cover of anonymity in the media to rubbish some of the sacrifices we made. They should the take the courage to come out publicly by identifying themselves with their baseless allegations,” Dasuki said.