To enhance the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists in the country, Nigeria’s foremost indigenous auto plant, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Ltd, has designed and built IVM G12 series, a special purpose range of off-road light trucks, for use by the military and related security organisations.

The first indigenous military vehicle was officially handed over to the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Bornu State, last week to enhance the operations against insurgency.

Presenting the IVM G12 series to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, at the tactical headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maimalari Barracks in the Borno State capital, the chairman, Innoson Group, Dr Innocent Chukwuma assured that the vehicle would be at home on the challenging terrains the army is used to in its operations.

Chief Chukwuma introduced Innoson IVM G12 series as a highly mobile and tactical pick-up van, with double reinforced shock absorbers that can show strength and ability to cope with military functions, especially in the Northeastern part of the country.

Receiving the truck, General Buratai praised Innoson’s vision of manufacturing vehicles that serve the specific needs of the military and assured him of the military’s partnership with the plant in producing special purpose vehicles for its special operations.

Ahead of the presentation, Innoson had dispatched some units of the vehicles to the Army Chief to be test-driven on different rough terrains of the North-East axis where the armed forces are successfully mopping up the insurgents.

At the presentation of the vehicles, the military drivers who manned the vehicles during the test-drive, attested to their rugged nature, confirming their suitability for military operations across the difficult terrain and dangerous environment they operate in.

Innoson’s collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces started months ago when it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Air Force for the maintenance of the Nigerian Air Force Air Assets and other associated Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) to enable the Air Force to continuously carry out its constitutional obligations to the nation.

Innoson Group is also collaborating with the Army in the manufacture and supply of armoured and bullet-proof vehicles.