Insecurity: United States Approves $346 Arms Sale To Nigeria

Nigeria has been fighting terrorism for over a decade.

The United States has authorized the transfer of $346 million in military ordnance, explosives, and guided missiles to Nigeria as part of efforts to assist its West African partner in addressing escalating terrorist threats.

According to a Wednesday press release from the U.S. State Department, this transaction will advance American foreign policy objectives by strengthening the security capabilities of a key partner nation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nigeria’s government submitted an extensive weapons procurement request, the statement revealed, which encompasses over one thousand MK-82 500-pound bombs – the same type of ordnance recently deployed by Israeli forces in civilian strikes in Gaza.

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The package encompasses 5,000 precision-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS), laser-targeting bomb conversion kits, high-explosive missile systems, and technical support services.

“The proposed sale will improve Nigeria’s capability to meet current and future threats through operations against terrorist organisations and to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea,” the State Department said.

Nigeria faces intensifying assaults in its northern regions from extremist organizations Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

This insurgency has caused massive population displacement, resulting in thousands of casualties and forcing entire communities to abandon their homes, though Nigeria’s armed forces are intensifying military campaigns to retake occupied areas.

According to Chief of Air Staff Hasan Abubakar’s Tuesday announcement, Nigerian forces have neutralized 592 terrorists in Borno state in the northeastern region during the previous eight months.

“This year, our air campaign is quicker, more precise, and more surgical,” Abubakar said.

“We are eliminating high-value targets, crippling logistics networks, and dismantling cells that threaten peace in the northeast.”

The incoming shipment of precision military hardware from the United States represents a potentially significant enhancement to Nigeria’s anti-terrorism capabilities.