PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated a military war vehicle, made in Nigeria and an ultra-modern Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna on Tuesday.

The president commissioned them at the opening of the 2019 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference.

The made-in-Nigeria war vehicle called, ‘Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles’ with the vehicle code-named ‘Ezugwu’, would be used by the Nigerian Army for operations in the North-East.

The vehicle was manufactured by the Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria, Kaduna.

Delivering his open speech, the president commended the efforts of the Nigeria Army in tackling insecurity across the country, assuring the soldiers of their welfare and that of their families.

Buhari said his government would resolve to do everything within its constitutional power to ensure the security and safety of law-abiding citizens.

“This is a commitment we have made and will continue to keep”.

He, however, urged the Nigerian soldiers to keep to the rules of engagement and international code of conduct while carrying out their constitutional duties.

“I urge our soldiers to continue to abide by their ethics and ethos and keep to the rules of engagement and code of conduct while ensuring that human rights and international humanitarian laws are promoted and respected in the conduct of military operations,” the President said.

Buhari also commended the Chief of Army Staff,  Tukur Buratai, on his thrust in the critical areas such as “the innovative and inventive approach to produce military hardware, infrastructural development, restructuring, and reorganisation, among others, with significant results”.

“This government will continue to support the army to sustain these laudable initiatives aimed at repositioning you to deal with contemporary security challenges and to achieve a modern army of the future,” Buhari said.

“Many personnel have lost their lives, some have sustained injuries and a significant number have been away from their families for a long time.

“I, once again, send my condolences to the families of those who have paid the supreme sacrifice in an effort to safeguard the sovereignty of our great nation. May their souls rest in perfect peace,” Buhari said.