Jul 29, 2008

Armor Up

You know your country has a security problem when a major builder of armored cars names a new package after it. And that is just what has happened to Nigeria. Texas Armoring Corporation, a leading supplier of bulletproof cars, has introduced a new product line of armored vehicles specifically manufactured to protect occupants traveling in the Niger Delta region. The newly offered “Nigeria Package” will, in the company’s words, “offer superior bulletproof protection against AK-47 and M-16 threats” and will also include some James Bond type of accessories, such as electric-shocking door handles, a smoke screen system, a road-tack-dispensing system, flashing strobe lights, a hidden siren/loudspeaker system and a secure dead bolt door-locking system. With the recent increase in violence, kidnappings for ransom and militant attacks on businesses, the need for civilian armored vehicles has never been greater in Nigeria.

According to Trent Kimball, president and CEO of Texas Armoring Corporation, “With the widening gap between the rich and poor throughout Africa, the level of violence has increased dramatically. Anyone with a moderate level of financial stability in Nigeria is potentially at risk of an attack. We've bulletproofed vehicles for numerous presidents and politicians in the past, but recently we've found that even general businesspeople are in need of armored protection. Our goal is to provide our clients with superior protection while helping them maintain a low profile.”

As part of that effort, each of the vehicles fitted out by the company maintains the original factory finish as closely as possible. The Nigerian Package will include European Level B6+ armoring (boasting nearly two-inch-thick bulletproof glass) and will be available for a special price on the Toyota Landcruiser, Lexus LX570, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Land Rover Range Rover and HUMMER H2 and H3. So why worry about gas prices when you can worry about getting kidnapped or killed instead?