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Six More Tucano Jets To Arrive Nigeria September - US envoy

Six More Tucano Jets To Arrive Nigeria September - US envoy FILE PHOTO: US Super Tucano Jets August 20, 2021 | EASTERN PILOT   The acting Un...

Six More Tucano Jets To Arrive Nigeria September - US envoy



FILE PHOTO: US Super Tucano Jets




August 20, 2021 | EASTERN PILOT 


The acting United States’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Kathleen Gibbon, has disclosed that the remaining six Super Tucano jets would arrive in the country by September.

This is despite a lawsuit in a Washington court asking the US to stop the sale of the fighter jets to Nigeria.

The Washington Post on August 6 reported that the Indigenous People of Biafra had sued the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken; and Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, in a Washington court over the sale and arrival of the jets.

The group accused the cabinet members of violating US laws by sending weapons to a foreign military with a history of human rights abuses.

IPOB , therefore, asked the court to compel Blinken and Austin to stop the shipment of the remaining six A-29 Super Tucano planes to Nigeria, as well as reverse the sale of six already in the country.

But on Thursday, Gibbon assured Nigerians that the remaining fighter jets would land in the country next month.

A statement by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity, Mohammed Abdulkadri, quoted Gibbon to have given the assurance during a courtesy call on the minister in Abuja.
 
The Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (retd.), denied reports of human right violations against troops involved in counter terrorism operations by international organisations.


The statement was titled, ‘Human rights: No case to answer on alleged abuse by Nigerian troops – Defence Minister.’

It read, “The US Acting Ambassador to Nigeria, Kathleen Gibbon pledged continued support to Nigeria, adding that the remaining six Super Tucano will arrive in the country by next month.

“Gibbon appreciated the progress Nigeria has made in fighting insurgency and the nation’s compliance with Protocols.

“She appreciated the minister for the audience and the agreed plan to reconvene another meeting soonest to consider various documents before the Ministry of Defence touching on the way forward for the promotions of Human Rights and Child Protection Act among other areas of common concerns to the two Countries.


“The Minister of Defence told Gibbon that the Nigerian President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), is a stickler to the domestic and International laws that forbid abuse of Human Rights.

“He said the Nigerian troops are guided in their operations by the extant laws of the land as enshrined in the Constitution and rules of engagements as well as Acts and other laws to warrant any form of abuse.

“While being emphatic that the Nigerian Military will not renege on her avowed compliance to the rule of law in a democratic environment and the Military’s commitment to defending the National interest no matter whose ox is gored.”

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