The Federal government has after all confirmed that it purchased 10 SUVs valued at N1.15billion for the Republic of Niger, to enable that country safeguard its territory in the best interest of Nigeria’s security.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, made this known on Wednesday while fielding questions from State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Let me just say that, over time, Nigeria has had to support its neighbours, especially immediate neighbours, to enhance their capacity to secure their countries as it relates to us.
“This is not the first time that Nigeria has supported Niger, Cameroon or Chad, and the President makes an assessment as to what is required, based on the request of their president and such requests are approved and the interventions provided is to enhance their capacity to protect their own territory as it relates to security also to Nigeria.
“Nigerians have a right to ask questions, but also the President has a responsibility to make an assessment of what is in the best interests of the country. And I cannot question that decision,” Ahmed explained.