The Nigerian Army has taken delivery of 15 locally manufactured All-Terrain Combat Vehicles, codenamed “Vanquisher,” to enhance operational effectiveness and improve troop mobility across difficult terrains.
The armoured personnel carriers (APCs) were produced by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in collaboration with Vanquish Industries Limited and the Command Engineering Depot.

Speaking at the handover ceremony in Kaduna, the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shu’aibu, described the occasion as a milestone in the advancement of Nigeria’s defence capabilities and a reflection of the country’s expanding local manufacturing capacity. The COAS, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Alabi, said the development demonstrated growing indigenous expertise in the production of critical military hardware.

Shu’aibu noted that the acquisition aligns with his command philosophy of transforming the Army into a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of operating effectively within joint and multi-agency environments. He added that his leadership is anchored on four pillars: professional excellence, sound administration, operational readiness, and strategic cooperation driven by exemplary leadership.

According to him, the newly delivered vehicles will improve troop survivability, manoeuvrability, and overall mission effectiveness across various theatres of operation. He disclosed that earlier batches had undergone operational testing and proved reliable, prompting the directive for additional units to be produced for immediate deployment.
The Director-General of DICON, Babatunde Alaya, said the handover marked significant progress toward defence self-reliance. He explained that the 15 APCs were part of 20 ballistic-protected platforms manufactured locally and designed specifically for Nigeria’s operational environment.

Alaya said the vehicles are configured for multiple missions, including troop transport, convoy escort, reconnaissance, and internal security operations. He added that local production would help curb capital flight, generate revenue, and create employment opportunities for Nigerian engineers and skilled workers.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of Vanquish Industries Limited, Zacharia Ndiriza, said the project showcases Africa’s ability to produce world-class defence solutions. He stated that the vehicles were built on three core principles—protection, agility, and adaptability—to address evolving security challenges.
The event featured a guided tour of DICON’s production facilities and the Nigerian Army 7th Vehicle Assembly Plant.