TheCable

Amid concern over Nigeria’s inability to source arms to scale up the war against Boko Haram, minister of finance and co-ordinating minister for the economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, says the country has had a breakthrough.

Following reports by international human rights groups that the Nigerian military was carrying out extra-judicial killings in the north-east, western countries are said to be stalling on selling arms to the country because of their own principles.

But speaking with journalists in Girei, Adamawa state, on Tuesday, Okonjo-Iweala (pictured) said the country has taken delivery of military hardware to prosecute the war.

“New military equipment purchased by the government has arrived. We are hopeful that the insurgency would soon be crushed. We are investing heavily in the war against Boko Haram and we are hopeful it will translate to victory,” she said.

She said the routing of Boko Haram militants in Konduga, Borno State, by Nigerian soldiers “is a testimony to the ability of the Nigerian military, and we all need to support them”.

Although she did not name the source of the weapons, it was reported earlier in the week that Nigeria was looking up to Russia for the supplies.

The US has also reportedly blocked Nigeria’s move to purchase fighter jets from Israel.

An attempt to source through a third party in South Africa recently was mired in controversy, as a jet ferrying $7.3 million in cash was briefly detained by the authorities, who said Nigeria did not follow due process.

Some have argued that the battle for supremacy between Nigeria and South Africa might have played a role in the saga.