The alarming surge in kidnapping incidents across Nigeria has triggered an unprecedented demand for bullet-proof vehicles, with wealthy individuals and VIPs increasingly seeking armoured protection amidst heightened security concerns.
As armed criminal groups extend their reach into major cities, conducting abductions and issuing exorbitant ransom demands, the country’s elite is responding by fortifying their security with customized armoured vehicles.
This has led to a notable upswing in sales of bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) designed to shield individuals and their families from the growing threat.
Reports from armored vehicle dealers confirm the soaring demand, directly correlating it with the worsening kidnapping epidemic. The affluent class now prioritises personal safety, resulting in an unprecedented market boom for these specialised vehicles.
Sales managers from industry-leading companies, including Mr Haresh Jethmalanito of Inkas Armoured Vehicle Manufacturing Nigeria and Mark Burton, President of Armor Max Vehicles, acknowledge the substantial surge in demand.
Dealers Lament Forex Crisis
Despite this, they express concerns about the challenges posed by elevated customs duties and volatile foreign exchange rates, contributing to increased prices.
“The demand for armoured vehicles has increased by multiple folds. The prices have also gone up because of the demand. Also, customs duties and foreign exchange rates have been major issues for us,” Jethmalanito told Punch.
Burton highlighted the heightened demand and the financial strain on clients, who typically invest between $35,000 and $90,000 in the armouring and the vehicle itself. The escalating costs are predominantly attributed to challenges associated with the naira-to-dollar exchange rate.
Further speaking, the Managing Director, Globaton Services Ltd, Tonye Edwin, said his company got higher demand for armoured vehicles in December.
He also said the surge in demand had led to an increase in their prices.
Edwin said, “In January and February, I have not been getting clients like that. But in December, before the festive period, we got many requests from Nigerians, especially those travelling to the South-East. The increased demand led to an increase in the price of these vehicles.”
In response to the security challenge, the Nigerian Communications Commission has pledged to support the security agencies in tackling the kidnappings sweeping across the country.
The Vice Chairman, NCC, Aminu Maida, who said this during an interactive meeting with editors and bureau chiefs in Abuja on Monday, explained that the commission would enhance the capability of the security agencies to use technology to address abductions.
Asked why the security agencies were not effectively using the SIM-NIN linkage to track and apprehend kidnappers who negotiate for ransoms with the families of abducted persons on phone, Maida said, “Security is one area we need to be careful of because I am part of the enabler and what I can guarantee is that we will continue to work closely with the security agencies and other sister agencies to ensure the capabilities to help the security agencies face and tackle the challenges out there.’’
Maida vowed to sanction telecommunication firms and those involved in illegal registration of SIM cards.
Leave a Reply