Strong indications have
emerged that the United States has again blocked the Federal Government from
acquiring fighter ground attack aircraft considered crucial in the ongoing
campaign against Boko Haram in the North-East.
Investigations showed that the US has prevented
the military from acquiring the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft from
Brazil.
A Presidency source said on Saturday that
Nigeria and Brazil were almost striking a deal on the acquisition of the light
attack aircraft when the US, which produced the aircraft, prevented the deal.
It was gathered that
the leadership of the Armed Forces had taken a decision to replace the ailing
Alpha jet platform of the Nigerian Air Force with the newer A-29 Super Tucano.
The source said that the Brazilians, who were
initially enthusiastic about the deal, suddenly became reluctant.
The source added the US had told the Brazilians,
who acquired 99 of the aircraft from the US firm, Embraer Defence System, that
the aircraft deal be put on hold due to human rights issues involving the
military.
The US had blocked the immediate past administration of Dr.
Goodluck Jonathan from acquiring Boeing CH-47 Chinok helicopters from Israel in
January 2015 purportedly due to human rights issues involving the military.
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