Trump confirms sale of Super Tucano Aircraft to Nigeria

The United States President, Donald Trump, has confirmed the sale of Super Tucano aircraft by the US government to Nigeria. Trump made the confirmation on Monday when he and President Muhammadu Buhari were addressing a press conference after their meeting in the White House.

He noted that the aircraft will improve Nigeria’s terrorism fight.

Trump said, “We are also helping our Nigerian partners by facilitating intelligence, cooperation and providing training and military equipment to Nigerian forces.

“For example, we recently sold Nigeria 12 US A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, great aircraft, in the first ever sale of American military equipment to Nigeria.

“This new aircraft will improve Nigeria’s ability to target terrorists and protect civilians.”

Buhari had earlier come under criticism over purchase of the Turcano aircraft with some Nigerian senators moving for his impeachment.

Some Senators had during plenary, last week Thursday, asked Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to invoke section 143 of the constitution in view of Buhari’s anticipatory approval of the extra-budgetary spending of $496 million to purchase the aircraft.

But the spokesperson for Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN) however, defended Buhari’s action on Sunday, saying that Buhari acted under the doctrine of necessity.

Buhari also said beyond helping Nigeria to tackle corruption, his administration is also committeed to ending scourge of human trafficking and smuggling.

He said, “My administration is committed to combating both jihadist movement and the scourge of human trafficking and smuggling. In the world today, there is more human trafficking than they have ever been. You can believe that.

“They (smugglers) use the internet better than almost anybody is able to use the internet. So, think of it, in the modern world, in this world, there is more human trafficking and slavery than at anytime in the history of this world. It is hard to believe.”