Nigeria to take delivery of 12 fighter jets purchased from the U.S.

Nigeria is expected to get 12 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft with military gear that costs over $400 million from the United States by 2020.

The timeline was disclosed by a senior U.S. Department of State official who spoke with journalists at the U.S. Consul General’s residence in Lagos, reports local media Vanguard.

The unnamed official also confirmed that the Nigerian government had paid for the aircraft and weapons including bombs and rockets.

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The news of the acquisition was first disclosed in April 2017 when a senior Nigerian military official speaking on condition of anonymity said the U.S. agreed to sell the fighter jets help Nigeria fight against Boko Haram.

He added that talks were underway including possible U.S. assistance in training, surveillance and military intelligence sharing.

U.S. officials had also confirmed at the time the sale of the 12 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft with a $600 million gear to Nigeria. The sale has been awaiting formal notification from Congress.