Photos: US donates 24 sophisticated vehicles to Nigerian army [Video]

The mine-resistant vehicles handed over to Nigerian Military by the American Goverment
held at Ikeja Cantonment. Photo: Idowu Ogunleye

The United States on Thursday donated 24 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles to Nigeria’s military, to enable the country’s soldiers to combat Boko Haram Islamic insurgents who continued cutting a bloody path through northeast Nigeria.

A statement from the US Consulate in Lagos said the MRAP vehicles, valued at $11 million, were being handed over on Thursday to assist the West African country with both technical and military hardware to enable it to combat the rising challenges of regional extremism.

R-L: Ms. Dehah Gbehreab, Col. Patrick Doyle, Maj. Gen. B.T Ndiomu and
Brig. Gen. Abdul MasanawaPhoto: Idowu Ogunleye

Temitayo Famutimi of the US Department of State said: “The equipment donation represents part of the continuing US commitment to Nigeria and its neighbors to counter Boko Haram’s senseless acts of terror and promote regional security.”

Inside the armoured vehicle

The United States also provides advisers, intelligence, training and logistical support to Nigerian military fighting Boko Haram as well as humanitarian aid and victim support services to some of the 2.5 million people driven from their homes by the insurgency.