BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Nigerian Army on Monday announced that it has started taking delivery of vehicles it ordered from Innoson Motor Manufacturing Company which were configured for deployment for Operation Lafiya Dole and other military operations.
The Nigerian Army and Innoson Motors, an indigenous vehicle manufacturing company, recently signed agreement and partnership towards the manufacturing of locally-made military equipment and vehicles for the army.
In line with the partnership, the army would acquire 100 variant of utility vehicles from the company to support its operations, especially in the North-east.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai had announced the development recently when the management of the company, led by its Managing Director, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, visited the Army headquarters.
Buratai also said that the Army would partner with the company in the modification and production of other military equipment, including armoured fighting vehicles.
He said so far, the Army has already acquired 40 vehicles from the company after it donated three vehicles to the Theatre Command of the Operation Lafiya Dole, adding that the 40 vehicles were acquired after the donated vehicles were tested and found suitable for the North-east terrain.
The COAS added that the vehicles were deployed in combat operations and “proved to be useful, comfortable and convenient for military operations.”
Buratai, therefore, solicited the cooperation of the company in building the capacity of its personnel, saying that this was necessary now that the army was assessing its special vehicle plant and central workshop located in Kaduna State and other areas in order to produce required equipment.
In his remarks, Chukwuma expressed delight that the vehicles his company donated to support the counter insurgency operations were found suitable and, therefore, commended the Nigerian Army for its patriotism and the success it had recorded so far in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.
He promised to assist the Army in its quest for better vehicles for troops and resuscitation of its vehicle plant and workshop.
