The US has prevented Nigeria from buying fighter jets from Brazil
– This sis similar to the arms blockade during the Goodluck Jonathan administration
– Nigeria has turned to Russia to purchase the newest fighter helicopter
The United States has prevented the President Muhammadu Buhari administration from acquiring the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft from Brazil.
The Punch reports that Nigeria was almost close to striking a deal with Brazil to acquire the fighter jet crucial in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram before the US stopped the transaction.
A presidency source revealed that the aircraft was produced by the US and sold to Brazil who were initially enthusiastic about selling to Nigeria but later became reluctant.
Nigeria has been working towards replacing the old fighter jets with the newer A-29 Super Tucano.
Brazil which gets 99 per cent of its aircraft from the US needs it approval before they can be sold.
Darrel Isah who is a US congressman had said after a meeting with service chiefs and defence authorities in the country in August 2015 that the US had commenced the process of relaxing the embargo on military assistance to the country under the Leahy Law.
The law was first activated under the Goodluck Jonathan administration and prevented Nigeria from acquiring fighter jets due to human rights concern.
The presidency source said the US was unhappy with the measures adopted against those accused of human rights abuse in the North-East.
