As preparations for the 2023 general elections gain momentum amid a worsening security situation across the country, the demands for bullet-proof Sports Utility Vehicles have increased significantly, findings by The PUNCH have shown.

Investigations by our correspondents over the weekend indicate that Very Important Personalities, top chieftains and candidates of political parties have been procuring customised vehicles that offer special protection in the run-up to the campaigns and elections.

About three weeks ago, there was an attempted assassination of the lawmaker representing the Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

Four persons, including police aides, were killed by gunmen who opened fire on the senator’s convoy at the Enugwu-Ukwu junction, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State while he was on his way to his country home in Nnewi.

The Young Progressives Party senator, who is seeking re-election to the Senate in the 2023 general elections, however, escaped death as he was riding in a bullet-proof SUV.

“If not for the bullet-proof SUV the senator was riding in, he would have been dead by now. We were passing the Enugwu-Ukwu junction when they hit us from all sides,” Ubah’s media assistant, Mr Kameh Ogbonna, reportedly said.

In 2017, Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West, escaped death when unknown gunmen attacked him during a rally in Lokoja. His vehicle was riddled with bullets but he narrowly survived the attack.

But a former special adviser to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, was not so lucky as he was shot dead while on his way to Owerri airport in May 2021.

Apart from ordering armoured vehicles, it was also learnt that politicians were applying for special police protection and procuring other security wares.The use of armoured vehicles is regulated by the Office of the National Security Adviser but approval or end-user certificate is granted to private individuals who have evidence of a threat to their lives.

Checks indicate that armoured vehicles could be customised with reinforced suspension, run-flat tires, armoured battery, radiator and fuel tank protection as well as fortified doors, ballistic windows and windshield. These are meant to provide maximum protection to occupants of armoured vehicles during an attack.

Suppliers speak
Confirming the increase in orders for armoured vehicles, the President, Armor Max, Mr Mark Burton said his company had been getting orders from clients, noting that sales were very good in March.

Burton, who said his firm had been importing bullet-proof vehicles into Nigeria for the past 20 years, explained that the high demand was inspired by the political season.

Speaking in a telephone interview from the United States, he said, ‘’We are a United States-based company, we have been based in Nigeria for six years now. We have been armouring cars and sending them to Nigeria for 20 years.

Obviously, with the political season and the unrest (insecurity), there is obviously a high demand. We have been working with government officials, diplomats, senators, and businesses. There are a lot of things that go into armouring (vehicles).

“It depends on the needs. Sometimes, it is for political purposes, other times, it is for church groups that just need transport for their pastors to and from church and their home.’’

According to the American, Armor Max has been undertaking bullet-proof windscreen replacements and other special vehicle servicing, admitting that its profits had increased due to the increased request for its services.

Asked if sales had increased in recent times, Burton said, ‘’Yes, we are making a profit, but right now, we are doing a lot of replacements. There are lots of bullet-proof vehicles in Nigeria, so we are doing lots of servicing; if someone needs a bullet-proof windshield, we do that.

“We armour vehicles and do servicing. We are making a profit in Nigeria; we get constant sales with people asking for upgrades.  Right now, we are working on Jaguars; we do all the Land Cruisers and Prados. In the US, we do Rolls-Royce and Bentley but in Nigeria, we do more of Lexus LX570. In different months, there are different orders or projects.’’

When asked about the categories of his clients and his most profitable month, the businessman stated, ‘’It is hard to know who is placing the orders but our busiest month was in March. March was a crazy time because we were working with a lot of security companies.

“Since March, it’s dropped off a little bit but I see a lot of people before the end of the year wanting to get bullet-proof cars, so we are kind of ramping up (supplies) before the end of the year.’’

Approvals taking time
Burton disclosed that he obtained end-users certificates which enabled him to import the armoured vehicles into the country, adding that the official approval process takes time.

“But we still have products on the ground; it’s just on a case-by-case basis. We make sure we adhere to the local needs in Nigeria. We are trying to make sure the people who need our products get our products.’’

Asked if the insecurity in the country had indirectly benefited his firm, Burton said, ‘’Yes, but we don’t want the world to be unsafe but all we are trying to do is create solutions to different problems.’’

He added, ‘’It’s not because we want violence but because things have been happening and all we are trying to do is create solutions. We have products that can help you have peace of mind. We also get orders from the Nigerian government and private businesses in Nigeria.’’

The Sales Manager, Inkas Armoured Vehicle Manufacturing Nigeria, Mr Haresh Jethmalanito, also affirmed that the armoured vehicle market is presently booming, noting that dealers were making brisk business.

But he lamented that his company was not benefitting from the boom because of the long time it takes to procure the end-user certificate from the ONSA.

He said, “The demand is there in the market, but for us, there is no demand from politicians. They want to see the cars they want to buy. The demand is there, I can’t deny it; only we can’t materialise (fulfil) it because it takes three to four months (to import the cars). But oil and gas companies and telecommunications firms can afford to wait. Those are our main customers.’’

He noted, ‘’People are inquiring about buying but I have not seen any serious customers for now; maybe because prices are very high because of naira devaluation. So, people hear the price and keep quiet.

“The politicians who make requests and didn’t buy from us can’t wait for three or four months. They want to see the car and take it; they want instant delivery.

“The politicians don’t bother about anything, they just drop the cash, any amount. We can’t keep the vehicles on the ground because we have to apply for the end-user certificates before we import. We follow the procedures, we can’t do things like other people. We don’t want any problems in the future.

“It depends on the needs. Sometimes, it is for political purposes, other times, it is for church groups that just need transport for their pastors to and from church and their home.’’

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