Defence minister defends FG’s $1bn loan

Musiliu Obanikoro, minister of state for defence, has defended Federal Government’s request for $1 billion loan for the purchase of new military hardware.

Obanikoro, who spoke weekend in Yenagoa during a familiarisation tour of the Central Naval Command, explained that the acquisition of new military hardware will help in ending Boko Haram insurgency.

He also noted that the military is well motivated to fight crude oil theft in the oil producing Niger Delta region but that urgent upgrade is needed to put an end to insurgency.

Obanikoro argued that the lack of modern equipment has made the fight against Boko Haram insurgency difficult and not adequate motivation for the soldiers as is being held in some quarters.

According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan has done a lot in terms of motivation for the military to fight terrorism and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta since he assumed office.