Sola Ojo, Kaduna
The Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai in Kaduna on Thursday reassured President Muhammadu Buhari of his loyalty to join hand with him to address security challenges bedevilling the country.
To make this happen, the Army boss said, the Nigerian Armed forces, especially, the Army, would consolidate on the existing success and look inward for military hardware require to win the battle.
This was coming even as the Coordinator, Defence Media Operation, Major General John Enenche on behalf of the Defence Headquarters expressed empathy to Nigerians affected by the activities of terrorists, armed bandits, kidnappers and other criminals across the country, commending them for their patience and cooperation with the Nigerian Armed Forces in tackling the various security challenges.
Buratai, who gave the assurance during a working visit to the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) said, Nigerian Army was on course to becoming self-sufficient in the production of arms, ammunition and other military hardware for the country’s Armed Forces.
According to the Army Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2019 directed the Ministry of Defence to articulate a proposal for the establishment of a military-industrial complex that would produce weapons and other equipment for the country’s Armed Forces thereby reducing reliance on reluctant foreign suppliers.
“We have since been working in that line and I can tell Nigerians that, the Nigerian Army is on course to achieving the mandate.
“I assure President Muhammadu Buhari absolute loyalty on his intention to secure Nigerian territorial integrity. Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces will always support his programmes. We will build on our successes.
“Through collaboration with other military formations, the Nigerian army will continue to invest in research in order to develop weapons to meet the country’s defence needs”, he said.
Earlier, the Director-General of DICON, Major General Victor Ezugwu said, the country’s military-industrial complex was not relenting in carrying out the presidential directives on the provision of quality military hardware that meet the global standard.
In 1964, DICON was established to meet the material require needs of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the mandate the company has been working towards as evident in designs and productions of military hardware including EZUGWU MRAP, guns, bullets, ballistic vests and helmets among others