about turn

Nigeria risks another embargo on sale of US military hardware over human rights concerns 

By Dele Yusuf

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Posted on August 2, 2021 10:59

An Afghan pilot stands next to A-29 Super Tucano plane similar to those delivered to Nigeria’s air force.
An Afghan pilot stands next to A-29 Super Tucano plane similar to those delivered to Nigeria’s air force. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Nigeria’s quest to end a decade-long war against Boko Haram and an additional battle against armed groups (bandits), may have suffered a setback after top US lawmakers reportedly paused approval for further sale of military hardware and attack helicopters due to their concerns over human rights violations in the most populous country in Africa. 

Days after Nigeria received six Super Tucano aircraft whose sale by the United States had been put on hold by the Obama administration over human rights violations, news broke that the US Congress could block approval for the proposed sale of 12 AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters and other military hardware to Nigeria after two top lawmakers withheld their approval for the Department of State to proceed with the deal reportedly worth $875m.

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