President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, said sacrifices of the Armed Forces remain appreciated by Nigerians, commending the patriotic role they played in maintaining law and order at the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections.
President Buhari, who virtually commissioned 700 Ashok Leyland Troop Carrying Vehicles assembled in Lagos, from his country home, pledged more support for the welfare of the military, while assuring that their “labour will not be in vain8
The President said the war against terrorism and criminality in the country will be sustained, and boosted with supplies of hardware and better care for the security outfits.
President Buhari noted that the vehicles would increase the capability of the Armed Forces, especially their combat efficiency levels.
He said the activities of non-state actors and transnational criminals had impacted the overall security architecture of the nation, noting that the threats were not peculiar to Nigeria.
In the past seven years plus, President Buhari affirmed that the Federal Government was able to revitalise the Armed Forces for the full restoration of Nigeria’s territorial integrity that was once violated by the Boko Haram insurgents and other forms of criminalities in the country.
The President thanked Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and personnel of the Armed Forces for the milestone achievements.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence said security of the country remains top priority for the government, and supplies and welfare of the military will be sustained.
Magashi explained that the procurement of the vehicles followed Executive Order Number 5, while highlighting the partnership between the private sector and the military, which had translated into delivery of better equipment for more precision and efficiency of security operations.
The minister noted that the company had also offered training of the engineers of the military on usage and maintenance.
Magashi thanked the President for his interventions in ensuring a repositioning of the Armed Forces, with massive acquisition of hardware, like jets, ships and patrol boats, and providing a dynamic and exemplary leadership.
Bello Wakili