By Ayo Kehinde
After holding a meeting with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of $1bn to buy security equipment to fight insurgency.
Emerging from the meeting, Monsieur Dan-Ali told State House correspondents that Buhari approved the release of the money after the meeting.
He said; “I can inform you that of recent, our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, gave approval for the purchase of more equipment for the military, worth $1 billion.
“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. We have operationalised a division in Sokoto, there will be a brigade in Katsina and another brigade in Zamfara that will take care of 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.”
Few months ago the governors met with the President and approved the amount but public outcry against the release of the money forced the government to stall.
Fearing that the Boko Haram terrorists were gaining upper hand, particularly after the scandalous abduction of 110 school girl from Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi and the recent bombings in Maiduguri and Yola, the government has decided to release the amount.
