By OKOSUN OKHUELEIGBE
The fight against insurgency in the North East has received massive boost as Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) donated some Hilux vans to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Maiduguri.
Receiving the donation, Nigeria’s Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin expressed gratitude to the management and staff of TNL; describing the company’s gesture as a show of public support and approval for MNJTF actions.
“This donation is a laudable one and very timely, too. This shows that the fight against Boko Haram insurgency will come to an effective end going by the presidential directive. The provision of adequate security, not only in the northeast, but in all corners of the country is a task that must be done and done quickly too”, he said.
The CDS, who was represented at the occasion by Air Vice Marshal Olutayo Oguntoyinbo promised that the Hilux vans would be used to ensure success of the operation against all forms of guerrilla movements and cross-border crimes around the Lake Chad Basin. While charging soldiers to make maximum use of the vehicle he urged other companies and corporate organizations in Nigeria and countries around the Lake Chad Basin to emulate Toyota Company in this noble gesture calling on all Nigerians to come forward and support the Nigerian Military in the on-going campaign against terror.
In his own remarks, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Buratai stated that the vehicles will be used to most effectively to achieve the three mandate of MNJTF which include, defeat of the Boko Haram terror group in all the area they occupied.
“The Hilux van would be put to most effective use for the achievement of the three mandate of MNJTF namely, to defeat the insurgents in all the countries they exist whether in Nigeria, Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon, and to facilitate the humanitarian and logistics needs of troops in the conduct of their duties by providing escort and security for them.
“The vehicles would also be used for the distribution of materials to IDPs and to re-establish state authority to create safe environments for those displaced to come fully back to their villages and continue with their day-to-day activities”.
TNL’s Managing Director, Mr Kunle Adeojo said that all members of his management board are agreed to support the Armed forces through these vehicle donation, saying that fighting against insurgents needs the support of all nations and all companies.
Present at the occasion were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, the representative of the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Logistics at the Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Olutayo Oguntoyinbo and MNJTF Commander, Major General Iliyasu Abba. Others were the General Officer Commanding 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General LO Adeosun and several senior military and para-military officers.