“We Stripped VW Golf, Rebuilt It Into Prototype Patrol Vehicle” : Inventor Of Armored Ezugwu MRAP Vehicle Explains

“We stripped a VW Golf, rebuilt it into a prototype patrol vehicle”, Armored vehicle inventor says in a chat with Punch Newspaper.

Retired Major General Victor Ezugwu, in a chat with Punch Newspaper’s Naomi Chima, has explained some of innovations under his watch that led to the manufacture of the first Made-in-Nigeria Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, named Ezugwu MRAP.

The former Nigerian Defence Industry of Nigeria (DICON) is known for developing the Ezugwu MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle in collaboration with the Nigerian Army’s Command Engineering Depot.

First unveiled in September 2019, the Nigerian-made mine resistance and ambush protected vehicle (MRAP) was designed and manufactured by the Nigerian Defence Industry of Nigeria (DICON) and the Command Engineering Depot (CED).

Following his appointment as the Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria in 2016, the then DICON Director-General said he challenged trained tradesmen that included mechanics and drivers to produce five patrol vehicles.

“We stripped a Volkswagen Golf and rebuilt it into a prototype patrol vehicle. In six months, five functional vehicles were ready and paraded on the passing-out day,” he said, showcasing the capabilities of the team.

“Gen. Buratai was impressed and asked me to lead the establishment of a military vehicle production outfit as the pioneer Group Managing Director.”

While working in Kaduna, the them Major General Victor Ezugwu said he met Shedrack Agbo, who studied automobile engineering, and together they developed a working MRAP that was later named after him for his contributions.

“Later, President Buhari gave approval for me to move to the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, where we produced the vehicle. I don’t take all the credit though. I worked with a team of smart, young engineers. I brought them together, mentored them, and led the process.”

Ezugwu said over 30 units were produced and distributed, adding that the vehicles have been deployed in various operational theatres, including in Maiduguri, Adamawa, Sokoto, and Enugu, highlighting their effectiveness in the fight against insurgents.

On what makes the Made-in-Nigeria Ezugwu MRAP unique, he said it is cost-effective, noting that a unit costs around N250 million, while similar foreign versions cost N900 million to N1 billion.

He added that :

“It is the first armoured vehicle locally produced by the Nigerian military since 1964. President Buhari approved it to be named after me.”

“The MRAP is bulletproof and can withstand 7.62mm machine gun and AK-47 fire. It is also mine-resistant, with inbuilt mechanisms to neutralise explosive threats.”

“It can move through water up to 20–30 metres deep. It has armoured windshields, advanced communication systems covering 10–16km, and surveillance cameras with a range of 2–5km.”

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