United States President Donald Trump has assured that the fighter jets Nigeria has paid for will soon be released, noting that the previous administration of President Barack Obama placed arms embargo on the country for no just cause.
Speaking at a joint news conference with President Muhammadu Buhari at the White House in Washington on Monday, he said he had worked out the issued of arms embargo, adding that Nigeria can now buy helicopters from the US.
Asked if he will release the fighter jets to Nigeria by 2020, Trump said: “Real soon. Part of the problem is you weren’t allowed to buy helicopters in our country and now you are. I worked that out so that now you can buy the helicopters that you want.”
“They weren’t allowed to buy the helicopters for various reasons, which frankly weren’t good reasons. Now they get them, and they get them very quickly, and they are the best helicopters in the world.”
“We are also helping our Nigerian partners by facilitating intelligence, cooperation and providing training and military equipment to Nigerian forces. For example, we recently sold Nigeria 12 US A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, great aircraft, in the first-ever sale of American military equipment to Nigeria.
“This new aircraft will improve Nigeria’s ability to target terrorists and protect civilians.”