President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the purchase of military hardware worth one billion dollar for the use of the Nigerian Armed Forces in its war against Islamic insurgents, Boko Haram.

The President gave the approval during a meeting with the Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali, and the service chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Dan-Ali said this to State House correspondents shortly after the meeting which also discussed the safe release of Leah Sharibu, the last of the Dapchi schoolgirls still in Boko Haram captivity.

According to him, the meeting also discussed security situations across the country and the steps being taken to mitigate them.

The minister further gave more updates on the fund approved by President Buhari.

He said the money was the same approved by the state governors to be withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account to fight insurgency in the country.

He said: “This is a normal meeting of security agencies in the country. As usual, we discussed the current activities that affected most of the states in the federation like Taraba, Zamfara and other states.

“Well, as usual we have operationalised a Division in Sokoto, there will be a Brigade in Katsina and another Brigade in Zamfara that will take care of the security situation in that area.

“The strength of security personnel has increased including the Air Force additional quick response group, they have added enough manpower in that area.’’

According to him, the military is already combing some parts of Taraba State and some weapons have been recovered from civilians.
On the remaining Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, in Boko Haram captivity, Dan-Ali said, “Well, we are making all available efforts to see that the girl is returned safely.

Others at the meeting include the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.

Also present are Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

Directors-Generals of Department of State Service and National Intelligence Agency, Lawal Daura and Ahmed Rufa’I attended the meeting.

It would be recalled that the National Economic Council (NEC) had in 2017 approved the one billion dollars to be sourced from the country’s excess crude account for the fight against insurgency and other violent criminal activities across the country.