Embatled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has spoken of how the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan facilitated the acquisition of hitherto elusive weaponry in the last one year and recovered many local governments that had been occupied by Boko Haram terrorists.
Sambo Dasuki
The immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has risen to defend the widely criticised approach of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to security issues in the country which led to the growth and dominance of the Boko Haram sect.
Dasuki has extolled credit to the past administration that provided funds for the acquistion of sophisticated weapons to battle the terrorist group and also recover the 22 captured local governments.
According to DailyPost, Sambo Dasuki reportedly mentioned the names of the military weapons acquired which include Alpha jets, APCs, MRAP vehicles, advanced artillery pieces, assorted arms and ammunitions, highly sophisticated surveillance drones, T72 and carried out modification of F7 supersonic jet fighters.
In a statement granted to PRNigeria, he said:
“The armored tanks have comprehensive NBC protection system, just as we deployed Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles that we 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.
“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.”
Sambo Dasuki accused politicians of using the media to tarnish his image and other security operatives. He stated that some other heavy military weapons purchased are yet to be delivered as the suppliers are having challenges. According to him, political opponents have seized the loophole to tarnish his image.
Furthermore, he attributed the peaceful nature of the recently concluded general elections in Nigeria to the effectiveness of the weapons which helped in keeping Abubakar Shekau and his men at bay.