Thursday, January 7, 2016 1:33 am
The United States will handover to the Nigerian army today 24 mine-resistant and armour-protected vehicles, as part fulfilment of its promise to help Nigeria in its war against Boko Haram insurgents.
The vehicles valued at $11m, would be handed over to the military authorities at the Nigerian Army 9th Brigade Parade Ground, Ikeja Army Cantonment in Lagos.
“The US is pleased to donate 24 Mine-Resistant, Armour-Protected (MRAP) vehicles valued at $11m to Nigeria’s military authorities.
“The equipment donation represents part of the continuing US commitment to Nigeria and its neighbours to counter Boko Haram’s senseless acts of terror and promote regional security.”
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THE (24)
MINE-RESISTANT, ARMOR-PROTECTED (MRAP) VEHICLES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION.
The twenty-four (24)
Mine-Resistant, Armor-Protected (MRAP) vehicles recently donated by America to
Nigeria, without any shadow of reasonable, sensible, logical doubts, is one singular
achievement for which the current administration of President Buhari should be
appreciated and deservedly commended. The MRAP is an infantry mobility vehicle
structured to be resistant to landmines and improvised munitions generally
which represented a bold, positive step towards exterminating the seemingly
blood-thirsty insurgents.
Unfortunately, the
MRAP achievement has generated a lot of controversial comments across most
dailies and social media basically because of tendencies lately among Nigerians
– and this cannot be entirely blameworthy! – to scrutinize gifts, whatever the
intents behind such, as same may be greek!
Of course, we need to
respect our personal opinions and freedom of expressions. One thing seems
common to all commentators however – concern for national interest. This is
patriotism, but such should be modulated not to serve less noble causes.
If one may ask, what
is the problem of US donating staggering “24 Mine-Resistant, Armor-Protected
(MRAP) vehicles” to Nigeria? Is this the first time of such? Will this not be
of any assistance to the nation towards fighting the insurgency in the country?
The answers to these questions we all have.
Without flogging a dead horse, dangerous
propagandists and perverse propagandas will not in any way advance our
collective purpose in the needlessly elongated war against far less capable,
but eminently gut-propelled, vampires. Cheap, hunger-occasioned press
statements and jaundiced pamphleteering, feeding the public with blatant and
depraved errors, must be rested. Why should anyone lie the MRAP vehicle are
faulty, has toxic constituents and such other balderdash?
It is right to regard the gifts as ‘tokunbo’ if
by the word it is meant that they (the MRAP) came from overseas (US-donated)
but it is never so if it is meant as use-and-dump cargoes that would not protect
desired interests. The machines are specifically customized for advance
military operations which have been used for operations in war zones before and
they are still in perfect conditions.
The arrangement have
been in process for a while and all (the MRAP) vehicles have been inspected and
certified by both countries teams. The only “so call repair” is to make all the
MRAP vehicles more lethal. In addition, all the 24 Mine-Resistant, Armor-Protected
(MRAP) vehicles can be driven from the Lagos port-terminal to Maiduguri without
any problem. This essentially is a positive and cheering signal that will
equally work and cater this time around towards our need to combat insurgency
for real. This should not be regarded or reflected in negative light.
Indeed, the US kept a
safe distance from the past government simply because of the administration’s
insincerity to prosecute the terrorism war due to high level of corruption
across boards. US knows all the money that was allocated to defense and arms
procurement was looted and that the Nigeria Army was committing gross crimes
against humanity by forcing soldiers to war without requisite munitions. The US
did not want to be part of the deceit and crimes against humanity! Dasuki gate
has vindicated them.
In conclusion, the
acceptance of MRAP from the US does not therefore deserve to be condemned! Nigerians should appreciate this
kind gesture from US and be grateful to the President Buhari; more so,
additional 8-Mine-Resistant, Armor-Protected (MRAP) vehicles have been
concluded and they will be delivered soon. This is one evidence of the extreme
needfulness of his so-called ‘incessant overseas travels’. The Minister of
Defense is highly commended for his selfless service and commitment towards the
success of the entire process of MRAP donation. The Ministry of Defense and
officers in charge that facilitated and smoothened the MRAP donation process
equally deserves a pat in the back.
Let the president know that free gift at the end request something. What if you don’t do the request. Why Nigeria can not pay for the vehicle feel free to stand free from any demand. I could remember during idiagbon time (late) when a friend of his gave him gift. He compared taken this gift is to accept, might be of his request. He put his friend to jail. Nigerian should not be fool for what the country can buy. We should not bring the country into lower grade.