Nigeria
has overtaken Iraq, Afghanistan and Latin American countries as the world’s
biggest importer of bullet proof (armoured) vehicles.
has overtaken Iraq, Afghanistan and Latin American countries as the world’s
biggest importer of bullet proof (armoured) vehicles.
It is
estimated that about 30 percent of customers for armoured vehicles worldwide
come from Nigeria.
estimated that about 30 percent of customers for armoured vehicles worldwide
come from Nigeria.
In the
last few years, manufacturers of armoured vehicles have exported an estimated
800 to 900 units to Nigeria at the cost of more than N60 billion.
last few years, manufacturers of armoured vehicles have exported an estimated
800 to 900 units to Nigeria at the cost of more than N60 billion.
This
was made known to journalists during the launch of the Land Rover Defender
(AVM) recently in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
was made known to journalists during the launch of the Land Rover Defender
(AVM) recently in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
The
British car maker said it will provide maintenance training for the Nigerian
Defence forces or any institution that imports more than 200 units of Land
Rover Defender Armoured Vehicle Modifier (AVM) vehicles.
British car maker said it will provide maintenance training for the Nigerian
Defence forces or any institution that imports more than 200 units of Land
Rover Defender Armoured Vehicle Modifier (AVM) vehicles.
In 2011
alone, Nigeria imported 600 and 1,000 armoured vehicles, coming behind Iraq,
Afghanistan and Latin America.
alone, Nigeria imported 600 and 1,000 armoured vehicles, coming behind Iraq,
Afghanistan and Latin America.
But
recent figures, however, indicate that Nigeria has overtaken these countries on
account of growing insecurity, as well as a seemingly love by the elite for
armoured vans.
recent figures, however, indicate that Nigeria has overtaken these countries on
account of growing insecurity, as well as a seemingly love by the elite for
armoured vans.
While
the position of Iraq and Afghanistan as major importers of armoured vehicles is
understandable because of the war situation in those regions, not a few have
wondered why Nigeria should be number one in the world.
the position of Iraq and Afghanistan as major importers of armoured vehicles is
understandable because of the war situation in those regions, not a few have
wondered why Nigeria should be number one in the world.
It
costs between N60million and N80million to armour an imported Sport Utility
Vehicle, depending on the different levels of fortification, while the starting
price to armour a saloon cars is put at N45million and above, according to
manufacturers sources.
costs between N60million and N80million to armour an imported Sport Utility
Vehicle, depending on the different levels of fortification, while the starting
price to armour a saloon cars is put at N45million and above, according to
manufacturers sources.
Describing
the position of Nigeria on armoured vehicle importation rating as no
exaggeration, Huan Ka Kyui, a high ranking official of an armoured vehicle
manufacturing company in Thailand, said that the first time his company
received a request for an armoured car from a Nigerian was as far back as in
2003.
the position of Nigeria on armoured vehicle importation rating as no
exaggeration, Huan Ka Kyui, a high ranking official of an armoured vehicle
manufacturing company in Thailand, said that the first time his company
received a request for an armoured car from a Nigerian was as far back as in
2003.
Since
then, he said the number has increased steadily.
then, he said the number has increased steadily.
John
Graham, Brand Manager Armoured, Military and AVM (Armoured Vehicle Modifier)
Programme for the Jaguar Land Rover group, said Nigeria is the emerging market
for anti-ballistic vehicles.
Graham, Brand Manager Armoured, Military and AVM (Armoured Vehicle Modifier)
Programme for the Jaguar Land Rover group, said Nigeria is the emerging market
for anti-ballistic vehicles.
He
added that armoured vehicles are classified into Special Purpose Vehicles
(SPVs) which can be used for military operations, Cash-In-Transit (C-I-T),
ambulances, mobile clinics and passenger vehicles.
added that armoured vehicles are classified into Special Purpose Vehicles
(SPVs) which can be used for military operations, Cash-In-Transit (C-I-T),
ambulances, mobile clinics and passenger vehicles.
Special
Purpose Vehicles are mostly purchased by banks and security operatives, while
the passenger vehicles are used by individuals and government at various
levels.
Purpose Vehicles are mostly purchased by banks and security operatives, while
the passenger vehicles are used by individuals and government at various
levels.
Source: The Nation
