Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) – Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, formally asked Wednesday for US$1 billion to equip the Nigerian military towards combatting Boko Haram activities in Nigeria.
In a letter dated July 15, 2014, titled ‘Tackling On-going Security Challenges: Need for Urgent Action’ and addressed to the Nigerian Senate President, David Mark, President Jonathan said the external loan was urgently needed to upgrade equipment, provide training and logistics of the Armed Forces and other security services to enable them forcefully confront insurgency in the country.
The National Assembly had in the 2014 National Budget appropriated a total of N968.127 billion for the nation’s military, police and the security services.
It is expected that the National Assembly will give the President’s request the required attention as it will embark on its long recess Thursday and is expected to resume early October.
