We didn’t receive N1.15 billion worth of vehicles from Nigeria — Niger Republic

Niger Republic has denied receiving 10 vehicles allegedly purchased by the President Muhammadu Buhari government for N1.15 billion. 

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had on Wednesday, August 3, confirmed that the Federal Government purchased vehicles worth N1.4 billion to help Niger tackle insecurity.

She had explained that providing intervention to the neighboring Niger Republic is not new and it is the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari who approved the purchase.

However, denying the said donation, Niger Republic’s Minister of Defence, Alkassoum Indatou, said that it was only Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle that gave five Hilux vans to the regional government of Maradi in Niger Republic.

Speaking on behalf of the President of Niger Republic, Indatou said: “It is only the State of Zamfara which has given five vehicles to the Maradi region, four of which have already been received, it is not the federal government as the Minister of Finance of Nigeria Zainab Ahmed declared. 

The population of Zamfara who are on the border with Niger call more on the Nigerien soldiers who respond to the minute than even those of their own country.”