Introducing Nigeria’s ‘Rambo’: Retired

Introducing Nigeria's 'Rambo': Retired Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, Innovator of the Nation's First Mine-Resistant Vehicle Retired Brigadier General Victor Okwudili Ezugwu has gained national acclaim as the pioneer in designing and manufacturing a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle—the Ezugwu MRAP—which is engineered to endure landmine detonations and IED explosions.


The Ezugwu MRAP, named after him, was crafted during his time as Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). Commissioned in 2019, it is currently in active service with Nigerian forces, providing armor for up to 12 personnel, including gunners, and capable of withstanding blasts equivalent to 7–12kg of TNT.

Affectionately called "Rambo" by his comrades, Ezugwu earned this nickname for his courageous leadership on the front lines throughout various operations, including those in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Bakassi, and in the fight against Boko Haram, where he encouraged his troops with the rallying cry: "Follow me." Today, he is revered not only for his valor but also for his contributions to enhancing Nigeria's self-sufficiency in military technology. Premier Media