President Muhammadu Buhari has given his approval for the country’s military weapons to be manufactured locally.
According to Buhari, as part of efforts to boost security, the defense ministry has been asked to set up a “complex” for the production.
President Buhari made the announcement on Monday at the state house conference center in Abuja during the mid-term ministerial performance review retreat.
This comes only weeks after the federal government announced a partnership with Equipment Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL), a Nigerian firm, to manufacture locally built bulletproof vests and other security devices.
While outlining the present administration’s accomplishments in terms of security, Buhari also stated that the national command and control center, which was formed in May 2021 to combat weapon proliferation, has been expanded to 19 states.
“To address our over-dependence on other countries for military equipment and logistics, I have instructed the defence ministry to create a modest military industrial complex for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the country’s armed forces,” he said.
“This is being implemented under the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), a military department responsible for arms manufacture.
“As part of the efforts towards strengthening our national security, we have increased investments in arms, weapons and other necessary equipment; expanded the national command and control centre to 19 states of the federation; and established a Nigeria Police Trust Fund, which will significantly improve funding for the Nigeria Police Force.
“We have also approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of the community policing initiative across the country, as part of measures adopted to consolidate efforts aimed at enhancing security nationwide.
“It is gratifying to note that only recently, we received six A-29 Super Tucano aircrafts as part of our efforts to boost the nation’s campaign against insecurity. The propeller-driven aircrafts are being used for training, surveillance and attack by the military.”
