Nigeria is being touted as one of the most insecure countries in the world, after it recently became the world-leader in importation of armoured vehicles. Nigeria took the title from Iraq, Afghanistan and Latin American countries, and it is estimated that about 30 percent of customers for armoured vehicles worldwide come from Nigeria. |
In just the past 5 years, about 800 – 900 units of armoured vehicles have been imported into the country. The high rate of small arms proliferation in the country may be another reason that armoured cars have become a common sight in Nigeria.
In 2011 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 amoured 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.
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, adding 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. These armoured cars and specialised vehicles customised from such brands as Jaguar, Mercedes Benz S-Class to the Cadillac Escalade and Toyota Land Cruiser, do not come cheap. |