RismadarVoice Reporters, March 5, 2026
The Nigerian Army has taken delivery of 15 locally manufactured Vanquisher Light Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) as part of efforts to strengthen its operational capacity and promote indigenous defence technology.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to advancing local military innovation during the formal handover ceremony held on March 4, 2026.
The armoured vehicles were produced by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in partnership with Vanquish Industries Limited and the Command Engineering Depot.
Represented at the event by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Bamidele Alabi, the COAS described the handover as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of self-reliance in military hardware production.
According to him, indigenous defence innovation is critical to enhancing the Army’s combat readiness and operational effectiveness, especially in addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
He noted that the Vanquisher Light APCs were designed to meet the country’s specific operational needs and will strengthen the Army’s ability to respond to evolving threats.
Lieutenant General Shuaibu also emphasized that local production of military equipment would reduce capital flight, stimulate economic growth, and reposition the Armed Forces of Nigeria towards greater self-sufficiency.
He described the ceremony as one of many steps in the Nigerian Army’s sustained drive to promote homegrown military technology and innovation, while encouraging DICON to continue investing in research, development, and the production of globally competitive defence equipment.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of DICON, Major General BI Alaya, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his support toward strengthening Nigeria’s military-industrial capacity.
He also commended the Chief of Army Staff for his consistent backing of DICON’s initiatives, noting that the support was instrumental in the successful completion of the project.
Major General Alaya further called on other security agencies and sister services to prioritize the use of indigenously produced defence equipment to accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s military-industrial sector.
