Umar Sani, former spokesperson for ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, has stated that during Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency special armoured tanks were purchased to fight Boko Haram.
In an interview with Channels Television from 18:51, Sani said the government had to source the tanks from Belarus and other Eastern European countries. He said the tanks were so strong that Boko Haram fighters gave them the nickname “Ebola.”
According to Sani, Boko Haram feared the tanks because no improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or landmines could destroy them. He said the tanks could withstand heavy attacks and even roll over landmines without damage.
In Sani’s words: “We had to go to Belarus and some other eastern countries to go and buy them, we bought some of our tanks at that time. Even Boko Haram as at that time when those tanks were coming in, they normally call those tanks Ebola. Why do they call them Ebola? They call them Ebola because those tanks no IED bombs sent to them will damage them and they can step on landmines”
