The US has admitted to blocking an arms deal between Nigeria and Israel, based on its military's track record of massive human rights abuses.
The US has admitted to blocking an arms deal between Nigeria and Israel, based on its military's track record of massive human rights abuses. This is against the accusation made by the Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Prof. Ade Adefuye on Monday.
He said, “The U.S. government has up till today refused to grant Nigeria’s request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time on the basis of the allegations that Nigeria’s defence forces have been violating human rights of Boko Haram suspects when captured or arrested.
We find it difficult to understand how and why, in spite of the U.S. presence in Nigeria, with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly.”
The Nigerian military had tried to order for Cobras, a brand of attack helicopters manufactured by Bell Helicopters in Forth Worth, Texas, from Israel a few months ago.
However, the deal was blocked by the US government, which refused to give the Israeli government a “No Objection” to proceed with the sale.
However, Psaki shot back saying "Nigeria has purchased helicopters that originated in countries other than the US and nothing in our decision prevents Nigeria from obtaining weapons and equipment from other sources.
Psaki said Washington would not have raised concerns on human rights abuses by the Nigerian military “if we didn’t feel and others didn’t feel that they were warranted.”
She assured the Nigerian government that the US was ready to help Nigeria train and improve the effectiveness of its military.
Urging the Federal Government to investigate allegations of abuses by the military, Psaki stated that the US valued its long standing relationship with Nigeria.
She said that Washington had been offering various forms of assistance to Nigeria, including sharing intelligence with its armed forces .
The State Department spokeswoman added, “Earlier this year, we denied the transfer of some cobra attack helicopters to Nigeria due to concerns about Nigeria’s ability to use and maintain this type of helicopter in its effort against Boko Haram and ongoing concerns about the Nigerian military’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations. We shared those concerns with Nigeria before this decision and subsequent to it.
“We’ll continue to look for ways to deepen our cooperation with Nigeria to help it acquire the systems and skills needed to restore peace and security. But obviously, we’ve provided a great deal of assistance over the past several months.”
The cobra is a combat aircraft with the ability to climb at the rate of 8.2metres per second. It is equipped with a 20 mm M197 3-barrelled Gatling cannon in the A/A49E-7 turret (750 rounds ammo capacity).