Nigerian military Armoured Fighting Vehicles

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of $1 billion to the Nigerian Armed Forces for the procurement of arms and other military hardware to combat insecurity in the country.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali while addressing newsmen shortly after a security meeting between  Buhari and service chiefs in Abuja.

The minister said the move was necessitated by the rising spate of killings and attacks currently being witnessed across the country.

“Of recent, our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari gave approval for the purchase of more equipment for the military, worth $1 billion.

“As usual, we discussed the current activities that affected most of the states in the federation like Taraba, Zamfara and other states,” the minister said.

He said the recent deployment of military personnel and equipment to Zamfara and its neighbouring states of Sokoto and Katsina were aimed at tackling insecurity challenges in the region.

He added that efforts were being intensified to ensure the safe release of Leah Sharibu, the only Dapchi school girl still in the custody of  Boko Haram insurgents because she refused to denounce her Christian faith.