The insecurity impasse sweeping the northern eastern states of Nigeria through the advert of the dreaded Islamic terrorist group, the Boko Haram may have found its direct and indirect benefactors at the doorsteps of the northern leaders. Information recently made available to 247ureports.com through sources close to the activities at the Kano State government house indicate that there appear to be more yet to be uncovered concerning the recent acquiring of three [3] armored Cadillac [Escalade] Sports Utility Vehicles [SUV] by the State Governor of Kano, Malam Rabiu Kwankwaso at the price tag of N156milion.
Available information reveals that following the preparatory inquires conducted by 247ureports.com against the purchase of three [3] armored vehicles on Monday June 25, 2012 – where officers of the Kwankwaso administration were contacted for comments on the alleged purchase – the administration hurriedly sought approval at the cabinet executive meeting held two days later on June 27, 2012. The approval was sort by the governor after the armored vehicles had arrived Tin Can Island on June 3, 2012. The report was later published under the title Gov Kwankwaso Receives Shipment of 3 Armored Escalade SUVs at N156million on June 28, 2012. Interestingly, the three [3] armored vehicles had already arrived to Nigeria from Texas [TAC-USA] through Tin Can Island on Sunday June 3, 2012 – as supplied by Maibiyar Motors.
The retrogressive approval for the purchase of the armored vehicles on June 27, 2012 also came with another approval for the sum of N22million for the shipment of two of the three armored vehicles. An overnight contract was given to Lightbays International Company Limited for the clearing of two [2] armored vehicles. The two [2] are now at Apapa Cargo Bay.
Beyond the insensitivity of purchasing three highly expensive armored vehicles is the near criminality alleged by sources who disclosed to 247ureports.com that the supplier of the three armored vehicles had gone through a brother to the wife of Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. “It was Kwankwaso’s wife that lobbied for the contract”, said a source who explained that the owners of Maibiyar Motors located along Zoo Road in Kano – share a historic relationship with Kwankwaso’s wife family – the Sule Garo family. The source who happens to be an inside player in the Kwankwaso administration stated that it was through the relationship that Mrs. Kwankwaso took up the garnet. In return for her efforts, the source said she was given N10million out of the supposed purchased price of N156million.
According to the specifications of the vehicles, the vehicles would provide protection against high-power rifles such as 7.62×39, 5.56×45, 7.62×51 and M80 ball. Additional areas of armoring include the fuel tank, battery and computer module. It has anti-mine protection including DM51 grenade/fragmentation. It is a 6.2L V8 Gasoline engine and a 6-Speed Automatic transmission.
The Chief Press Secretary to the State government, Malam Dantiye, was reached through his mobile MTN line but he declined comment. The Information Commissioner, Hon. Farouk was reached through his mobile MTN but he also declined comment.
