President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday unveiled locally produced
mine resistant ambush protected vehicles named Ezugwu and other armored vehicles designed to carry out insertion and extraction of troops, assault, counter-terrorism, delivery of high fire power and urban warfare.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the vehicles were unveiled during the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference, holding in Kaduna.
Other primary and secondary armaments unveiled at the event included anti-aircraft guns that also carry a crew of twelve commanders, driver, two gunners and eight soldiers.
“These armored vehicles that were produced by DICON are testimonies that government’s effort is yielding positive results.
“It is encouraging to note that, the Nigerian Army as a critical element of National power is involved in innovative and inventive ventures to become an Army to be proud of in the future by all Nigerians.
“There is no doubt that a lot has been achieved by the Army since my assumption into office.
“Our administration has continued to provide resources for the execution of transformational projects with the aim of modernizing the Army to be better positioned to perform it’s constitutional roles,“ the President said.
Buhari noted the collaborative efforts of the command engineering Depot with relevant indigenous organizations to promote local content towards developing Nigeria’s Military Industrial Complex.
“In this regard, it is pertinent to acknowledge the establishment of the Army University, Biu, the Army Resource Center in the Army War College to further boost intellectual capacities in the forces,“ he said.
The President further lauded the Nigerian Army for the establishment of Army Cyber Warfare Command, Fifty Space Command and the Land Forces Segregation Center.
He said they were laudable efforts aimed at repositioning the Army to address emerging and future threats to National security.
Buhari described the Nigerian Army Conference as an avenue for strategic leaders and operational commanders to appraise, assess and evaluate the Army’s activities for the year 2019 as well as make projections for improved engagements in 2020 and beyond.
“This kind of self assessment is being sustained because it is critical for the professional development of the Nigerian Army. One of the cardinal pillars of our government is the provision of security,“ he stressed.
The President appreciated men and officers of Nigerian Army for their relentless effort in securing the country, noting that “many personnel have lost their lives, some have sustained injuries and a significant number have been away from their families for a long time.“