.jpeg)
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Bashir Magashi (Rtd) has said the Federal Government has Procured over 550 Military Platforms to Enhance Security, noting that the troops of the armed forces of Nigeria have arrested 492 vessels in 8 years by the Nigerian Navy, adding that out of the number, 139 were handed over to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Minister stated this on Monday 13th February 2023 at the 25th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari’ (PMB) Scorecard Series organised to showcase the achievements of the current administration.
The minister stated also that over 5000 illegal refineries were equally uncovered and deactivated within the same period adding that 52 to Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), two vessels to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and 30 to the Department of Fisheries and 143 of the arrested vessels are still in the custody of the Nigerian Navy, while 82 were released to the owners on completion of investigation and trial.
Presenting the scorecard of his ministry, Magashi said “The Federal Government acquired 38 brand new aircraft to boost training and combat readiness of the NAF since 2015.
He said, the newly acquired aircraft include 10 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, 5 Mi – 35M helicopter gunships and 2 Bell 412 helicopters. Other includes 4 Agusta 109 power attack helicopters, 2 Mi -171E helicopters, 3JF – 17 Thunder multi – role fighter aircraft and more recently 12 A – 29 Super Tucano aircraft in addition to a number of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs)”.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), he said, also sustained reactivation of hitherto unserviceable platforms to upscale its capabilities in tackling insurgency, terrorism, armed banditry and other forms of criminality.
To this end, Gen. Magashi said, 17 previously grounded aircraft including Super Puma, F – 7Ni, EC – 139, DO -228, Mi – 24V, Mi – 35P, C – 130H, L – 39ZA and Alpha jet were reactivated.
These, he added is in addition to the successful multiple In – Country Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM), of its platforms.
Furthermore on the Navy, he said, “the Nigerian Navy took delivery of 1 Survey Ship (NNS LANA), 1 landing ship transport (NNS KADA), and 10 aluminum air boats have joined the NN fleet while, 1 AW 139 Leonardo and 1 A109SP helicopter has been delivered to the NN.
Cumulatively, the fleet renewal effort of the NN within the period under review has led to the procurement of well over 415 platforms of various types and mix”.
The Minister noted that the Nigerian Army took delivery of various modern platforms such as VT – 4 Main Battle Tanks, STI Light Tanks, Legion MRAP Vehicles, Armoured Repair Recovery and Mine Sweepers.
Others, he said are Ground Rader Surveillance Equipment, Self- Propelled Howitzers and other sophisticated Surveillance and communication equipment among others.