US Boosts Nigeria’s Anti-Terror War With 24 Armoured Vehicles

Efforts by the Nigerian government to defeat insurgent group, Boko Haram got a boost today when the United States donated 24 Mine-Resistant Armor-Protected (MRAP) vehicles valued at $11 million to the military.

The U.S. government donated the armored vehicles through the Excess Defense Articles Programme, according to a statement from the US embassy Information Office, adding that Nigeria is in the process of receiving an additional eight MRAP vehicles valued at approximately $7.4 million.

It stated that the military arranged for transportation from the port to Lagos. “These vehicles provide increased protection from improvised explosive devices, roadside bombs, and small arms fire, while offering more maneuverability and better fuel economy than other types of armoured personnel carriers,” the statement quoted the U.S. Defense Attaché to Nigeria, Col. Patrick Doyle, as saying.

The handing over ceremony was done few hours after the release of the statement at the Ikeja military cantonment, Lagos today.