The immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, (retd), has blamed the refusal by world powers to sell arms and ammunition to the Jonathan led administration as one reason why the Boko Haram terrorist group wasn’t successfully routed in the past.

“It was unfortunate that some elements are frustrating the efforts. We even had to query some suppliers for the delay in the delivery of arms and ammunition,” Dasuki was quoted as saying by PRNigeria, an Abuja based consultancy outfit which dispenses information for the Nigerian government.

Dasuki said that the Jonathan administration acquired a lot of highly sophisticated equipment to fight and reclaim 22 local government areas from the insurgents after years of frustration by Western countries.

According to Dasuki, the munitions purchased included “Alpha jets, Armoured Personnel Carriers, MRAP vehicles, advanced artillery pieces, assorted arms and ammunition, highly sophisticated surveillance drones, T72 and F7 supersonic jet fighters.”

The items also include armoured tanks with comprehensive NBC protection system, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles with capacity to withstand explosions, Improvised Explosive Devices and assorted armoured personnel carriers with effective protective system against small arms fire and shrapnel.

Dasuki said that the equipment were effectively utilised to recover 22 local government areas (which were at the time under Boko Haram control) and prevent the Boko Haram sect from disrupting the 2015 general elections.

Dasuki also said the security forces were able to use the equipment to prevent the leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, from releasing videos of threats against the country.

“We are glad that we also provided assorted Armoured Personnel Carriers to transport troops to the battlefield. They were armed for self defence and to provide protection from attacks from shrapnel and small arms fire.

“All these were acquired in the last one year after years of frustration by Western powers who denied us of the equipment and sabotaged our efforts to acquire same from other sources which are reasons for some delay in delivery,” he added.