There are strong indications that the US have stopped the Nigerian Federal Government from acquiring fighter ground jets from Brazil.
Nigeria, which was on the verge of getting an A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, in order to help combat the fight against Boko Haram in the North East of the country, was unable to finalize the transactions after Brazil became reluctant.
The purchase of the jet became necessary after the leadership of the Armed Forces took a decision to replace the ailing Alpha Jet platform of the Nigerian Airforce with the newer A-29 Super Tucano.
The Brazilians had acquired 99 of their aircraft’s from the US firm, Embraer Defence System, hence the reason they were involved in the purchasing process.
According to reports, the US had told the Brazilians to put the deal on hold due to human rights issues which involves the military.
In same manner, the US had prevented Goodluck Jonathan’s administration from acquiring Boeing CH-47 Chinok helicopters from Israel in January 2015 purportedly due to human rights issues.
This recent development has dimmed indications that the US was relaxing the arms embargo on the country with the election of president Muhammad Buhari in 2015.
The US gave a condition to Brazil during the sale of the aircraft which states that they could only be resold to other countries with permission from the US.
The aircraft are unique because the plan was to use the A-29 Super Tucano Fighter Ground Attack aircraft to replace the ailing Alpha jets.