Insecurity: Buhari okays $1bn for military equipment

President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the release of $1 billion for the procurement of military equipment to fight Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east and unrest in some parts of the country.
The National Economic Council (NEC) had in 2017, approved the sourcing of the sum from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the fight against insurgency, and other violent criminal activities across the country.
Minister of Defence, Muhammad Mansur Dan-Ali, disclosed this yesterday, while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of security meeting in Abuja.
He said the President also ordered that efforts be intensified to secure the release of Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi Christian schoolgirl still being held by the insurgents
“What I can add, after all that I have said, is to inform you that of recent, our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, gave approval for the purchase of more equipment for the military, worth one billion dollars,” he said.
The minister said the security meeting, extensively discussed issues around those states with serious security challenge.
According to him, the meeting also reviewed the security situation in the country, stressing that a Division of the Army had been established in Sokoto to further strengthen the security situation in the North-west region.
“This is a normal meeting of security agencies in the country. As usual, we discussed the current activities that affected most of the states in the federation like Taraba, Zamfara and other states.
“Well, as usual we have operationalised a Division in Sokoto, there will be a Brigade in Katsina and another Brigade in Zamfara that will take care of the security situation in that area.
“The strength of security personnel has increased, including the Air Force additional quick response group. They have added enough manpower in that area,” he said.
He further disclosed that military personnel were already combing some parts of Taraba state, and some weapons had been recovered from civilians.
On the rescue of the lone Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, from Boko Haram captivity, the minister said, “we are making all available efforts to see that the girl is returned safely”