The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially handed over seven Modified Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles (LTAVs) to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s internal security architecture.
The handover ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, May 28, 2025, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Police Affairs in Abuja, saw the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, present the vehicles to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
According to the Ministry, the armoured vehicles were procured using funds from the Ministry’s 2024 operational budget and are designed to improve the mobility and safety of police officers, especially in high-risk operational zones.
“These Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles are part of the government’s strategic interventions to enhance police efficiency and ensure that our officers are better equipped to combat the current security challenges,” Gaidam stated during the event. “Their deployment will improve response times and officer protection in conflict-prone areas.”
One key highlight of the acquisition is the emphasis on local content. The LTAVs, manufactured by a Nigerian company, are adapted for Nigeria’s unique terrain and climatic conditions, making them easier to maintain and more cost-effective than imported alternatives.
Receiving the vehicles, IGP Egbetokun expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and assured Nigerians that the new assets would be deployed judiciously. He stressed that the LTAVs would bolster the capacity of tactical units across the country, including those engaged in counter-terrorism, anti-banditry, and anti-kidnapping operations.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to maximizing the use of these assets to enhance public safety and restore confidence in our law enforcement capabilities,” the IGP said.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Anuma Ogbonna Nlia, noted that the vehicles are not just tools of enforcement, but also critical components in protecting the lives of police personnel and the civilians they serve.
This latest development is in line with the renewed drive by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to modernize the Nigerian security infrastructure and better position security agencies to tackle emerging threats across the country.
The addition of these armoured vehicles is expected to significantly improve the operational performance of the police, particularly in areas affected by insurgency, banditry, and violent crime.
