As part of further attempts  at boosting the fight against terrorism in northeast, the chief of Army staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has commissioned 7 locally produced Mine Resistant Ambush Vehicles.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony at the Theatre Command of the Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, Lt Gen.  Buratai said the seven Mine Resistance Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAP) was third in the series

Represented by the Theatre Commander, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi, the Army Chief pointed out that the homegrown technological innovation was a major drive to restore normalcy to the north east.

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Buratai noted that the materials used in constructing the platforms were sourced from the Theatre except for the bullet-resistant glasses that came from Kaduna state.

He assured that such innovations would be sustained.

“As at today, the Theatre has produced locally some MRAPs in three variants.  They are the Champion, the Invisible and the Conqueror.  The Theatre has also undertaken the conversion of gun trucks and tractors to armored Gun Trucks All Terrain.

” In the same vein, ” fire eaters” with armoured plating were made to provide local protection for troops while in harbour and in defensive positions,” Buratai said.

Commander 107 Division Equipment Support, Brigadier General Babatunde Alaya said the vehicles were constructed to improve mobility and protection for troops prosecuting the counter-insurgency operations.

According to him, the Armoured vehicle is capable of resisting AK47 and Anti-Aircraft ammunition.

General Alaya thanked the Chief of Army Staff for providing funds for manufacturing the vehicles.

He thanked the Theatre Commander for the innovations which has given the Army engineers the opportunity to produce the Vehicles.