As part of its continuing support to the government and people of Nigeria to fight and defeat Boko Haram, the United States government has donated 24 Mine-Resistant Armour-Protected (MRAP) vehicles to Nigerian military authorities.
The vehicles, which were donated Thursday in Lagos, are valued at about $11 million.
“These vehicles provide increased protection from improvised explosive devices, roadside bombs, and small arms fire, while offering more manoeuvrability and better fuel economy than other types of armoured personnel carriers,” said Patrick Doyle, US defence attaché to Nigeria.
The US government donated the armoured vehicles through the Excess Defence Articles Programme, while the Nigerian military arranged for their transportation from the port to Lagos.
Through this programme, Nigeria is in the process of receiving an additional eight more MRAPs valued at approximately $7.4 million.
The Excess Defence Articles Programme is designed to transfer excess military equipment from the United States to foreign governments or international organizations to help with modernisation of partner nations’ military capabilities.
Through a similar program, the US government donated to the Nigerian Navy the NNS Okpabana in 2014 and NNS Thunder in 2012. The two ships are said have bolstered maritime security in Nigeria.
“Today’s 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,” the US embassy in Nigeria said in a statement.
“The United States provides advisors, intelligence, training, logistical support, and equipment to our African partners as they work to defeat Boko Haram. We also support those affected by Boko Haram’s violence through ongoing humanitarian aid and victim support services,” the statement further read.
The US also insists it will continue working with its partners in the Lake Chad Basin region in order to identify new opportunities to restore order in the area.
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