Terrorism: Army to buy N5bn weapons in 2017

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Terrorism: Army to buy N5bn weapons in 2017

The Nigerian Army will spend N5bn on the procurement of new weapons in the 2017 fiscal year, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.

Apart from the N5bn, as revealed in the 2017 budget proposal before the National Assembly, the Army also plans to spend N846m on the repair of existing military equipment in the country as the fight against insurgency is expected to gain momentum in the coming year.

Our correspondent, who obtained a copy of the budget proposal of the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, at the National Assembly, observed that the total budget for the Army stands at N152bn.

While the Army will have N152bn, the Nigerian Navy will be allocated N91bn, and the NAF will have N100bn.

Our correspondent learnt that the capital expenditure for the Army stands at N20bn, while the rehabilitation and repair of weapons will cost N846,033,430.

This is coming despite the takeover of Sambisa Forest in Borno State, an enclave believed to be the stronghold of Boko Haram insurgents, where troops in a December-long operation, tagged Operation Lafiya Dole, bombarded the forest.

The Director of Information, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, in an interview with our correspondent, said the military was not surprised that the terrorists were fleeing, adding that Nigerians should report suspicious persons and movements in their communities.