August 17, (THEWILL) – Niger Republic has denied reports it received 10 vehicles from the Nigerian government.
Investigative journalist, David Hundeyin, had reported how President Muhammadu Buhari approved the purchase of 10 vehicles worth N1.15 billion for Niger Republic.
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed had admitted the allocation of the funds used for the purchase of the vehicles. She told newsmen that the President had the liberty to assess what was in the best interest of the country
Mrs Ahmed, who maintained that the President reserved the right to take decisions in the interest of Nigeria, had said this was not the first time the country was approving such interventions to its neighbours.
But in it’s first reaction to the report, Niger’s Minister of Defence, Alkassoum Indatou, said only Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, gave 5 Hilux vans to the regional government of Maradi.
Indatou, who spoke on behalf of the President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum, denied he received any vehicle from Nigeria’s presidency, adding that only Zamfara State has come to the aid of the country with five vehicles, mainly on account of the repeated efforts of Nigerien forces in safeguarding Nigerian territory from terrorists.
“It is only the State of Zamfara, which has given five vehicles to the Maradi region, four of which have already been received, it is not the Federal Government as the Minister of Finance of Nigeria Zainab Ahmed declared.
“The population of Zamfara who are on the border with Niger call more on the Nigerien soldiers who respond to the minute than even those of their own country”, said a translation of the French statement of a top Nigerien official privy to the issues.
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