The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commended the production of locally-made Vanquisher Light Combat Vehicles, describing the development as a major step in strengthening Nigeria’s defence capability and reducing reliance on foreign imports.

Shaibu, represented at the commissioning ceremony in Kaduna on Wednesday by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Major General Bamidele Alabi, said the initiative reflects 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 called “remarkable ingenuity and technical competence,” adding that the vehicles would enhance mobility, protection and operational efficiency for troops deployed across diverse terrains.

The COAS lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating policies aimed at strengthening local content and encouraging indigenous defence manufacturing. He said, “The Federal Government’s deliberate support for local production is yielding visible results. This platform clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when visionary leadership aligns with local industrial capability”.

Shaibu added that sustained collaboration between the military and indigenous manufacturers would reduce reliance on foreign imports and boost national security.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of Vanquish Industries Limited, Mr. Zach Duwa, described the commissioning as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s defence industry, saying, “This moment represents more than the unveiling of a platform. It reflects vision, discipline and the firm belief that African industry can design and manufacture world-class defence solutions”.

The Vanquisher Light Combat Vehicles are built on principles of protection, mobility, and adaptability, designed to meet modern security challenges facing Nigerian forces in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations.

The unveiling represents the latest milestone in the Tinubu administration’s push toward self-reliance in defence production, following earlier initiatives including the signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Bill and a $1 billion deal with India to modernize local defence manufacturing capabilities.

The development comes as the Nigerian military continues operations against terrorism, banditry, and other security threats across multiple theatres nationwide.