Members of the Armed Forces yesterday thrilled crowd at the venue of the 58th independence anniversary with the display of various war vehicles, planes and ships.
The event, which held at the Eagle Square Abuja, was kick-started with the inspection of guards by President Muhammadu Buhari.
It was followed by a march past in slow and quick time by the armed forces, police, paramilitary organizations, legions and corps members.
The event was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Heads of State Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, top government functionaries, diplomats, traditional and religious leaders.
The Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara were absent.
The highpoint of the occasion was the firing of volleys and 21 gun salutes, display of military equipment including anti bombs vehicles, rocket launchers, among others.
There was also an aerial display of combat readiness of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in which over 20 aircrafts flew across the venue of the independence anniversary at intervals.
The occasion climaxed with the signing of the anniversary register by President Buhari.
The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said the display showed the readiness of the armed forces to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
Mustapha, who recalled that the occasion was last celebrated in 2010, said 23 war planes have been purchased by the present administration.
Also Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali said, “The military is the pride of the nation thus you need to showcase what you have and what you are capable of doing and what we displayed today shows our capability at all times.”
