In an effort to continue it offensive operation on terrorist agents in the country, Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin on Thursday 1st August 2019 inaugurated four locally manufactured Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)vehicles. The vehicles were manufactured by Proforce, a specialist in the manufacturing of Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) in concert with the Nigerian Army.
Inaugurating the vehicles, Olonisakin commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TukurBuratai for his foresight and commitment to the fight against insurgency and other forms of insecurity in the country. He affirmedthat the armed forces will continue to develop the capacity to confront the security situations in the country.
On his part, the chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Yusuf Buratai disclosed that the vehicles were produced in partnership with the Nigerian Army. Adding that,Proforce had given one of such vehicles to the Army for trial which was eventually bought in 2017. According to him, eight others were subsequently ordered, with the first two being delivered in 2018 and inaugurated by President MuhammaduBuhari in Monguno, Borno State.
The Managing Director of Proforce, Mr Ade Ohundeyin, revealed that every component in the vehicle was designed and manufactured in Nigeria. Ohundeyin disclosed that the vehicle could run for 50 kilometres with flat or punctured tyres. “It also has in the system to always reflate the tyre even when punctured,” he said.