Six more Tucano jets to arrive Nigeria September — US envoy

The acting United States’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Kathleen Gibbon, has disclosed that the six remaining Super Tucano jets will be delivered by September despite a lawsuit in the United States seeking to stop the sale of the fighter jets to Nigeria by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Gibbon, on Thursday, assured Nigerians that the remaining fighter jets would land in the country as scheduled.

A statement by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity, Mohammed Abdulkadri, quoted Gibbon to have given the assurance during a courtesy call on the minister in Abuja.

The statement was titled, ‘Human rights: No case to answer on alleged abuse by Nigerian troops – Defence Minister.’

It reads: “The US Acting Ambassador to Nigeria, Kathleen Gibbon pledged continued support to Nigeria, adding that the remaining six Super Tucano will arrive in the country by next month.

“Gibbon appreciated the progress Nigeria has made in fighting insurgency and the nation’s compliance with Protocols.

“She appreciated the minister for the audience and the agreed plan to reconvene another meeting soonest to consider various documents before the Ministry of Defence touching on the way forward for the promotions of Human Rights and Child Protection Act among other areas of common concerns to the two Countries.

“The Minister of Defence told Gibbon that the Nigerian President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), is a stickler to the domestic and International laws that forbid abuse of Human Rights.

“He said the Nigerian troops are guided in their operations by the extant laws of the land as enshrined in the Constitution and rules of engagements as well as Acts and other laws to warrant any form of abuse.

“While being emphatic that the Nigerian Military will not renege on her avowed compliance to the rule of law in a democratic environment and the Military’s commitment to defending the National interest no matter whose ox is gored.”

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