FG denies $875 ammunition deal with the United States

31 Jul FG denies $875 ammunition deal with the United States

The federal government has denied reports that some lawmakers in the United States had blocked the planned sale of $875 million ammunitions to Nigeria due to poor human rights record.

The Minister of Information and Culture,  Lai Mohammed, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja yesterday, said yesterday that government “is not aware of any $875 million ammunitions deal with the United States which is being purportedly blocked by some lawmakers in that country.”

He said there was no contract of such nature and sum between Nigeria and the United States

The minister explained that: “There is no contract for arms between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United States of America today apart from the 12 Super Tucano attack jets of which six had been delivered.

“We are quite satisfied with the progress and cooperation that we received from the government of the US on this issue.

“As a matter of fact, six of the Tucano fighter jets will be launched on Aug. 3, this year.

“We are not aware of the so called $875 million arms contract or some helicopters which they said some lawmakers in the US are trying to persuade the president of the US not to honour.”

He said the relationship between Nigeria and the US is smooth and waxing stronger.
There had been reports that influential United States lawmakers were masterminding a hold on a proposed sale of ammunitions and attack helicopters to Nigeria over allegations of human rights abuses and anti-democratic actions of the present administration.