The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Wednesday commended the production of locally manufactured Vanquisher Light Combat Vehicles, describing the development as a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s defence capability.
Shaibu, who was represented at the commissioning ceremony in Kaduna by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi, said the initiative underscored growing confidence in Nigeria’s indigenous capacity to design and produce mission-ready military hardware tailored to national security needs.
He praised Kaduna-based Vanquish Industries Limited for what he described as “remarkable ingenuity and technical competence,” noting that the vehicles would enhance mobility, protection and operational efficiency for troops deployed across diverse terrains.
The Army Chief also commended President Bola Tinubu for policies aimed at promoting local production and strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing.
“The Federal Government’s commitment to promoting local content in defence production is yielding tangible results.
This platform is a clear testament to what can be achieved when policy direction aligns with industrial capacity,” he said.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of Vanquish Industries Limited, Mr. Zach Duwa, described the unveiling as a defining moment for both the company and Nigeria’s industrial advancement.
Duwa said the Vanquisher Light Combat Vehicle was developed around three core principles — protection, mobility and adaptability — to address evolving security challenges.
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“Protection ensures the highest levels of safety and survivability for operators. Mobility guarantees agility and dependable performance across diverse terrains, while adaptability provides a modular platform capable of fulfilling multiple mission roles,” he said.
He thanked the President, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs for their support, and commended the Chief of Army Staff for his continued patronage of locally manufactured products.
Duwa also acknowledged the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria for fostering an enabling environment that strengthened joint ventures and expanded national industrial capacity.
He said the project reflected broader goals of sovereignty, resilience and job creation, adding that the company would continue to invest in research, innovation and advanced manufacturing.
“As these vehicles enter service, we remain committed to responsible production and the ethical stewardship of defence technology,” Duwa added, assuring that the safety and mission success of troops guided every stage of the vehicle’s development.