Jet With $9.3m: MURIC Alleges Plot, Nigerian Govt Blames US

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) does not believe in the official explanation provided on the incident with the private jet with $9.3 million in cash, while the government blames the US officials.

It would be recalled that 3 passengers, 2 of them Nigerians and one Israeli, arrived last weekend at the South African airport in a private jet. Upon check it was discovered that the men tried to illegally import money totaling $9.3 million, which amount was packed in several suitcases.

The passengers insisted that the money was aimed at buying arms for the Nigerian security, which caused allegations about arms smuggling.

Another revelation came with the fact that the jet belonged to the head of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. The cleric did not deny the fact saying however that he had leased the aircraft, adding he had a "residual interest" in Eagle Air, a company that managed the aircraft.

Later on it was gathered from the sources that the Nigerian Federal Government started diplomatic talks with their South African colleagues and provided the documents proving the legitimacy of the procedure.

MURIC Alleges Plot

Reacting to the situation, MURIC Director Professor Ishaq Akintola raised alarm over the suggested explanation, according to Sahara Reporters.

"The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is alarmed by this scandalous development.We have every reason to reject FG’s explanation and it is hereby rejected.

"In a country in which two religions are most prominent and are hot rivals of each other, here is the national leader of a religious group who also happens to be the president’s kinsman, an undisguised Muslim hater, a man with a belligerent disposition towards his Muslim neighbours, a man who has been threatening hell and brimstone over the Boko Haram saga.

"Tie this to the Israeli connection, a country well known for its anti-Muslim and mass murder propensities. It raises more questions than answers."

A doubt was expressed in a statement over the real reason for arms purchase: if it was really meant for the Nigerian Armed Forces, and what guaranty there was that it was not meant for Niger Delta militants, or else.

"Afterall, under-the-table assistance for Boko Haram has been noticed in the past. Where did the arms and food drops for Boko Haram by helicopters come from? Only the Israelis are capable of doing that. MURIC is shocked by the huge amount involved: $9.3 million! Conservatively, $1m is N163m. $9.3m is therefore N1,514,502,583.61 at the current exchange rate of N163 to $1.”

Federal Government blames the United States

Meanwhile an exclusive report by Premium Times (PT) says the Nigerian authorities accused the US government of being responsible for the scandalous situation.

Based on the information obtained from multiple military and administrative officials, PT provided on Wednesday, September 17, that the Nigerian government adopted that subterranean strategy to procure arms after American officials continued to stand in the way of legitimate arms order from America, Israel and other countries.

According to the report, the U.S. government allegedly blocked orders placed by Nigeria for arms and ammunition.

One source among the officials explained that the US did not help Nigerians in fight against Boko Haram, unlike they claim globally:

"All our efforts to procure arms, tanks and ammunition have so far been frustrated by the U.S. It is a trying time for our country and we needed to do something to defeat this insurgency. America has kept posturing to the world that they are helping us to fight Boko Haram. But that is far from the truth. We have money to buy all the arms we need but the U.S. has continued to stand in our way. They won’t let us buy arms and they are also discouraging other countries from selling to us.They are saying we stand accused of human rights abuses by human rights group and that we won’t be allowed to get arms."

Another source confirmed the allegation adding that the US want to make the Nigerian military "incapable of defeating Boko Haram. And they have an international network to frustrate our effort to get arms from alternative sources".

A top official, who like other sources pleaded anonymity, said the country authorities acted "in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians" trying to protect the citizens.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures. Terrorists are killing our people and it is the duty of this government to do all within its powers to stop the carnage and protect of territory. "

Source: Legit.ng