President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned 700 Ashok Leyland Troop Carrying Vehicles assembled in Lagos.
The president who virtually commissioned the vehicles from Daura, Katsina State, commended the patriotic role security forces played in maintaining law and order during the Presidential and National Assembly election and pledged more support for the welfare of the military.
He said the war against terrorism and criminality in the country would be sustained, and boosted with supplies of hardware and better care for the security outfits.
“Let me firmly assure Nigerians that the Federal Government remains steadfast and committed to winning the war against insurgency and other criminalities. Surely, the Federal Government will not rest on its oars until Nigeria and indeed Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora are free from the menace of terrorism and other forms of harm,’’ the President said.”
President Buhari noted that the vehicles would increase the capability of the Armed Forces, especially their combat efficiency levels.
“I am pleased to be invited here today as the Special Guest of honour at the commissioning of the 700 Ashok Leyland Troops Carrying Vehicles, procured by the Federal Government of Nigeria. These vehicles, I understand, were assembled by Stallion Motors Limited at Ojo, Lagos.
“This is an important milestone in the annals of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, especially the troops engaged in operation in various theatres. This demonstrates the commitment and importance the Federal Government attaches to the fight against insurgency, criminalities and welfare of personnel,’’ he noted.
The President said the activities of non-state actors and transnational criminals had impacted the overall security architecture of the nation, noting that the threats are not peculiar to Nigeria.
In the past 7 years, the Federal Government was able to revitalise the Armed Forces for the full restoration of Nigeria’s territorial integrity that was once violated by Boko Haram insurgents and other forms of criminalities in the country, President Buhari affirmed.
He thanked Minister of Defence, Major Bashir Magashi (retired), Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, and personnel of the Armed Forces for the milestone achievements.
Earlier, the Minister of Defence said security of the country had remained top priority for the government, and that supplies and welfare of the military would be sustained.
General Magashi explained that the procurement of the vehicles followed Executive Order Number 5, adding that partnership between the private sector and the military, translated into the delivery of better equipment for more precision and efficiency of security operations.
The Minister noted that the company had also offered training of engineers of the military on their usage and maintenance.
