FG to partner Nigerian firm on local production of bulletproof vests

The federal government is set to enter a partnership with Equipment Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL), a Nigerian company, on the production of locally-made bulletproof vests and other security gadgets..

Muhammad Dingyadi, minister of police affairs, disclosed this during an official visit to EPAIL’s manufacturing facility located at Mowe, Ogun state.

The police minister was accompanied by Usman Baba, inspector-general of police (IGP), and other senior officials of the ministry during the visit to EPAIL on Tuesday.

Speaking on the partnership, Dingyadi said the visit was sequel to a letter from the ministry of trade and investment on the need to carry out an assessment on the capacity and quality of products produced by the company.

The minister expressed satisfaction on the quality of the products, adding that the partnership will benefit not only the police, but other security agencies.

“I choose to speak at this time having heard and seen all that we are supposed to see. Our visit here today is a multi-purpose one,” he said.

“When the president came to Lagos recently, he was able to see some of your products, and in line with the vision of this administration to promote local content, we received a letter from the ministry of trade and investment to come here for a firsthand assessment of your capacity and the quality of your products.”

In his remarks, Kola Balogun, chairman of EPAIL, assured the minister of the company’s capacity to meet all the requirements for the production of defence equipment, surveillance systems and other related technological solutions for improved security.

He added that the company was established out of the desire to deepen technology research and development, in line with the needs of security agencies across the country.