The Nigerian Army ordered another 52 locally manufactured Ezugwu mine-resistant, ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles from the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), in a moved aimed at boosting ongoing war against the Islamist Boko Haram terrorists.
According to DICON Director-General, Major General Victor Ezugwu, the Nigerian Army has placed an order of more armored vehicles early January 2021 to improve the military operational efficiency towards fighting terrorism, banditry besides other emerging security threats in the country.
DICON Director-General, Major General Victor Ezugwu noted that his company is looking forward to supply, Nigerian army, police as well as other security agencies a lot of military hardware including non-kinetic equipment for their operations. All equipment to undergo and pass trial test before mass production continues.
MRAP Ezugwu have been able to play a pivotal role towards the fight against Boko Haram insurgencies as well as other crimes. The armored Ezugwu vehicle was unveiled in September 2019 at the Abuja International Trade Fair Complex during a Nigerian Army Day event.
MRAP Ezugwu Capabilities
- The Ezugwu is armored against small arms fire and using flat-bottom armor technology
- The vehicle hull can withstand a 7 kg TNT explosion.
- Each wheel of the armored vehicle can withstand a 12 kg TNT explosion.
- The original version carries a crew of 12: commander, driver, two gunners and eight soldiers.
- The vehicle has two weapons turrets which can traverse 360 degrees and a telescopic long-range camera for improved situational awareness.
- The 4×4 Ezugwu is fitted with an independent suspension system
- Its powered by a Chinese WD615 turbodiesel engine.
In the meantime, the recently established Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company (NAVMC) is developing several armored military vehicles for the Nigerian Army. The vehicles include; an Infantry Patrol Vehicle (IPV) fitted with a mounted heavy machine-gun, a Tactical Patrol Vehicle with seating for eight personnel, and a Light Tactical Vehicle armored personnel carrier (APC).
