US strengthens Nigeria to fight Boko Haram

The United States has donated 24 armoured vehicles to Nigeria for a more effective fight of terrorist group Boko Haram.

24 armoured vehicles were officially handed over to Nigeria on Thursday as a fulfilment of a recent promise from the US.

Eight more vehicles are expected in the country in the days ahead.

“The United States has been a strong partner of the United States for many years,” Patrick Doyle, a US defence official working in Nigeria said during the handing over ceremony.

According to Colonel Doyle, the vehicles will need minor repairs as they were recently used in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Nigerian government has the task of servicing these vehicles before they are dispatched to the North East of the country for an expected deadly counter offensive against the sect.

The US defence representative said the vehicles can provide increased protection from explosive devices, small arms fire and roadside bombs. This was welcomed with much joy because there are many landmines buried by Boko Haram across the north-east of Nigeria.

The armoured vehicles cost at least 11 million dollars.

From 2009 till date, about 24000 have lost their lives due to the barbaric acts of Boko Haram which recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.