Minister of Defense Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi has said the Armed Forces are now more equipped and combat ready to tackle any adverse situation.

According to him, the Armed Forces have today intensified manpower intake into the services to meet the current demand in the fight against terrorism.

Magashi spoke at the weekend in Kano State, during the 43rd Kano International Trade Fair 2022, held at the Trade Fair Complex on Zoo Road. He said the Armed Forces have also received more training and have been motivated to serve with great measure of success.

According to him, terror merchants are now being thoroughly dealt with as the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is resolved in restoring total peace and security to Nigeria.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria are today, more than ever before, combat ready, more equipped, focused, committed, well trained and motivated to tackle any adverse situation with great measure of success,” he added.

Magashi added that he was home in Kano to share with his people the modest efforts they are making at the Ministry of Defense, which is the nerve centre of the defense architecture in Nigeria. He explained that the success story is due to the favourable disposition of President Buhari, ‘whose commitment to the country has helped the Ministry of Defense re-equip, re-kit, re-focus, re-energise and motivate every sector of the armed services to attain optimum result in their operational responsibilities’.

“This disposition has enabled the Ministry of Defense to attain high level of training and retraining of its personnel based on partnership agreements with several countries including UK, Germany, Greece, Russia, Pakistan, Turkey and Belarus.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria also continuously intensify manpower intake into the services to meet the current demand in the fight against terrorism. Positive measures have also been put in place to change the narrative for enhanced operational and administrative efficiency for the Ministry of Defense.

“There is now an improved inter-service operational synergy and collaboration in Joint Operational Environment with other security agencies which has denied adversaries of cohesive and coordinated attacks and freedom of action.

“The Defense Industries Corporation (DICON) has today attained new enviable levels of production capabilities by producing the first indigenous combat vehicles, and has established military and para-military clothing and accessories factory in partnership with other friendly countries,” he added.

On the welfare of personnel, the minister said the ‘armed services are reasonably motivated in terms of welfare and service readiness’.