Yesterday, the United States donated 24 faulty Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles to the Nigerian military. This development, which is, to a certain extent, its contribution to the fight against insurgents in the north-east, is mostly part of its Excess Defence Articles program. The program is aimed at transferring excess US military equipment to a partner nation. According to a statement by the Public Affairs Section of the United States Consulate General Lagos, Nigeria will be receiving an addition of eight vehicles through the same programme.
It has been reported that the vehicles, valued at about N2.2 billion ($11 million), are not in good working order. While presenting the vehicles to Nigerian Army officials, Patrick Doyle, representative of the US government, mentioned that before the vehicles could be used they would have to be fixed with parts and equipment imported from the United States.
“The repairs of the vehicle is up to the Nigerian government to do; they can repair them on their own if they have the facility to do that, but of course, the spare parts are very particular to this vehicle and we have been in discussion with the army previously and we are working out the modalities of how we will get those parts to them,” the Public Affairs Section of the United States Consulate General Lagos said. “They will have to order those parts from the United States and we will work out those conditions.”
Over the last five years, the Boko Haram group has invaded several communities in north-eastern Nigeria. Despite efforts made by Nigerian law enforcement agents, the group appears to be winning the ongoing war between terrorism and justice. Earlier this week, about five people were killed in the reclaimed town of Gwoza, Borno State, after a male suicide bomber successfully launched an attack killing returnees who were recently displaced.
Indeed, this latest act reinforces the commitment of the US to Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, however, there are a few factors to be considered in terms of returning the armoured vehicles to good shape.
While the donation may appear cost effective because it’s a resultant effect of a product that has been used for several years, it is prone to incessant faults due to geographical changes on the product. If this is not managed properly and more vehicles or products are accepted into Nigeria, it could turn the country of import to a dumping ground for faulty items which will then lead to health hazards in the future.
