Emo Truths 🇳🇬

First photos of Nigeria's M-346FA aircraft with wingtip mounted AIM-9L Sidewinder heat seeking missile. The air to air missile has an all-aspect attack capability, allowing it to lock on and engage targets from any angle.

When Nigeria was prepared to lead an ECOWAS intervention force in Niger following the coup, it was Nigerians themselves who opposed the move. In the north the opposition was driven by ethnic sentiments. In the south we had "imperialist" conspiracy theories. We even had one conspiracy nut job steal and release to the public classified documents relating to Nigeria's strike plans. The security implications of allowing a military regime become entrenched on Nigeria's doorstep was overshadowed by emotion, political sentiment, and conspiracy narratives. Today, our border with the Niger Republic is the most dangerous and porous entry point for terrorists and bandits coming from the Sahel. That said, there is a $13 billion Trans Saharan Gas Pipeline Project that connects Nigeria, Algeria, and Niger. Over 2,400 kilometres of the pipeline have already been completed across Nigeria and Algeria. The remaining 1,600 kilometre stretch will pass through Niger. An unstable Niger jeopardizes the entire project, so Algeria's military involvement is a strategic and pragmatic decision.