Army Unleashes Vanquish Tankers to Crush Terror Threats in Northeast
..As Gen. Oluyede Leads Bold Push at Maiduguri Security Conference
By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri
In a strategic move to ramp up the fight against insurgency, the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on Thursday officially handed over the newly-acquired Vanquish Armoured Tankers (VQATs) to the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar.
The equipment unveiling took place during the Nigerian Army’s 2025 Bi-Annual Conference in Maiduguri.
The deployment of the cutting-edge tankers is in response to a recent spike in Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacks across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
“These tankers are game-changers,” said Gen. Oluyede, noting that each vehicle is equipped with night vision capabilities and can operate for up to 80 kilometres on flat tyres. He emphasized that their advanced suspension systems offer 360-degree protection for troops during operations—an edge in complex terrains like Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad basin.
Declaring the three-day conference open at the Command Guest House in Maimalari Cantonment, the Army Chief stated that the gathering aims to foster strategic foresight, synchronize operations, and deepen military-civilian collaboration in safeguarding communities.
“We are here to refine our strategies, assess our gaps, and implement practical solutions to boost the Army’s operational impact,” Oluyede told officers drawn from military formations nationwide.
He encouraged the Armed Forces not to be disheartened by temporary challenges but to remain resolute in their mission to eliminate terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping across the country.
Highlighting the Army’s dual approach to security, Gen. Oluyede reaffirmed commitment to both kinetic and non-kinetic tactics in volatile regions. He also assured Nigerians that despite renewed threats, the military remains undeterred and fully aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for national peace and development.
Deliberations from the conference are expected to shape critical policy decisions and strategic directives in the months ahead.
