/ 10 August 2001

UNCLE SAM STUMPS UP CASH FOR NIGERIAN COPS

THE United States has donated crime-fighting equipment worth $150 000 to the Nigerian police, officials said this week. The equipment, including vehicles, computers, generators, fax machines, fire-proof safes and VHF radios, was presented to a special fraud unit on Wednesday. Also included in the package is special training for investigators of international fraud and financial and economic crimes, the official said. He quoted US Ambassador to Nigeria Howard Jeter as saying that the donation was funded by the US State Department’s bureau of international narcotics and law enforcement affairs. Jeter noted that many foreigners, including US citizens, had been victims of international scams perpetrated by some Nigerians in recent months. – AFP