FG to Supply More Equipment to Military

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Minister of Defence, Maj. General Bashir Magashi (rtd), yesterday expressed the determination of the federal government to supply more equipment and logistics to the military for operational enhancement as they combat terrorism and insurgency in the North-east.

The Nigerian Army had on Thursday taken delivery of 60 newly acquired Tracked Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) manufactured in China by NORINCO to be deployed to the war theatre.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Faruk Yahaya, inaugurated the 60 armoured carriers at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna State.

Yahaya, who was represented by the Commander, Infantry Corps, Maj. Gen. Victor Ezugwu stated that the armoured vehicles were designed to tackle the security challenges facing the nation.

The army chief affirmed that the equipment underscored the strategic resolve to ensure that normalcy is restored across the country.

The minister gave the assurance during an operational assessment visit of the Joint Task Force Headquarters’ Theatre Command Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri.

A statement issued by the Nigerian Army Headquarters said the minister expressed the government’s commitment to providing the necessary resources to bring hostilities to an end in the North-east.

It said the minister “assured troops of Joint Task Force North-east Operation Hadin Kai of supply of more equipment and logistics for operational enhancement, as they combat terrorism and insurgency in north east Nigeria.

“We are fully committed to providing all the necessary resources to enable you to do your job professionally to the best of your ability.

“We have all seen your commitment and we are proud of you”, he said.

Magashi expressed optimism that victory was in sight, stating that with sustained determination and commitment, the insurgency would be brought to an end.

He commended the overall performance of the Nigerian military in the fight against insurgency in the North-east.

Speaking further, the minister, who was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, Service Chiefs, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), disclosed that they were in the theatre to jointly assess ongoing operations and facilitate the progress of other operations across the country for security, peace, and development.

The minister commended President Muhammadu Buhari for providing requisite logistics support to prosecute the war against insurgency in the North-east.

“We are fully committed to providing all the necessary resources to enable you to do your job professionally to the best of your ability. We have all seen your commitment and we are proud of you”.

Operational briefs were presented by the Theatre Commander OPHK, Major General Christopher Musa, and the Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

The minister also commissioned a set of twin buildings, newly constructed as transit accommodation for officers of Headquarters Joint Task Force North East OPHK.