Operation Lafiya Dole: Nigerian army partners with Innoson for military vehicles production

macfranc007 January 03, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Jerrywright Ukwu

- The Nigerian army has formally gone into partnership with Innoson Motors Manufacturing Company

- Innoson is Nigeria's foremost indigenous motor manufacturing company

- The partnership is geared towards enabling Innoson to conceptualize, design, modify and produce military hardwares

The Nigerian army has formally gone into partnership with Nigerian indigenous motor manufacturing company, Innoson Motors Manufacturing Company for modification of some of its equipment, local production of armoured fighting vehicles and other military hardwares.

This was made manifest during a meeting between the management of the company led by the chairman, Chief Innocent Chukwuma and the leadership of the Nigerian army led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday, January 2.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, congratulated the company for the giant strides it has recorded in the production of various brands of vehicles lately.

Army partners with Innoson for military vehicles production

Chief Chukwuma of Innoson motors and the COAS, Lieutenant General TY Buratai at the event. Photo credit: SK Usman

He said that the essence of the meeting was to further formalize the business relationship between the Nigerian army and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company.

Senior officers at the event. Photo credit: SK Usman

He recalled with delight that the Nigerian army in a bid to encourage local entrepreneurs asked Innoson Motors to supply three vehicles early last year which were found to be durable and performing very well as they were employed in combat and proved to be useful, comfortable and convenient in military operations.

NAIJ.com gathered that subsequently, the army acquired over 70 more variants of the Innoson vehicles which were deployed in the northeast for Operation Lafiya Dole.

The management of Innoson vehicles in a group photograph with senior officers at the Army HQ. Photo credit: SK Usman

Buratai further stated that the Nigerian army desires to deepens its cooperation by partnering with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited to conceptualize, design, modify and produce military hardwares.

The specific areas of partnership between the Nigerian army and the company includes immediate supply of 100 vehicles, supply of appropriate gears, engines and chassis required for immediate modifications and repairs of armoured fighting vehicles in the northeast theatre of operations.

It also includes identifying requirements for production of armoured fighting vehicle in Nigerian Army Central Workshop in Kaduna and enhancing capacity of Nigerian army personnel to actively participate on the successful implementation of these joint ventures.

Chief Chukwuma handing over 3 of the newly manufactured vehicles to the Nigerian Army for trial. Photo credit: SK Usman

Responding, Chukwuma expressed happiness that the Nigerian army has found Innoson vehicles working perfectly and commended the Chief of Army Staff for his great sense of patriotism.

He promised to assist the Nigerian army in its quest for better vehicles for its troops and resuscitation of its Special Vehicle Plant and Workshops.

He further thanked the Chief of Army Staff for the commendation, maintaining that his company would continue to improve and expand its capacity in vehicle manufacturing.

Highlight of the occasion was inspection and handing over of three of the newly manufactured vehicles by the company for trial by the Nigerian army. These newly manufactured vehicles are; IVM G80 Bigger Jeep, IVM G40 Smaller Jeep and IVM Granite Pickup.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian army has commenced its online registration for the 77 regular recruitment of intake for trades, non-tradesmen and women from Friday December 29, 2017 to February 9, 2018.

Army spokesman, Brigadier-General Sani Usman, said in a statement on Saturday, December 30, that the exercise was aimed at selecting able bodied Nigerians and would take place in all states.

“Interested applicants must be Nigerians between the ages of 18 to 22 for non-tradesmen and women, while tradesmen and women must be between 22 to 26 years by 1st March 2018.

“Applicants are to visit the Nigerian Army official website http://ift.tt/1XxOacE to apply online,” Usman said.

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