By Ismail Auwal
The Federal Government (FG) has confirmed the purchase of 10 Toyota Land Cruiser V8 cars at a whopping cost of N1.15 billion to help Niger Republic check insecurity.
The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, while justifying the procurement said the gesture was aimed to help Niger Republic improve its ability to handle instability.
She noted that President Muhammadu Buhari, who approved the purchase has the right to make his own assessment of situations and act accordingly.
Answering questions from journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Buhari at the State House, Abuja, the Minister said Nigeria has a policy of assisting its neighbours to strengthen capacity to deal with insecurity.
“Let me just say that, over time, Nigeria has had to support its neighbours, especially immediate neighbours, to enhance their capacity to secure their countries as it relates to us.”
“This is not the first time that Nigeria has supported Niger, Cameroon or Chad, and the President makes an assessment as to what is required, based on the request of their president and such requests are approved and the interventions provided is to enhance their capacity to protect their own territory as it relates to security also to Nigeria.”
“Nigerians have a right to ask questions, but also the President has a responsibility to make an assessment of what is in the best interests of the country. And I cannot question that decision,” she said.
