The Defence Industries Cooperation of Nigeria (DICON) has resumed the production of arms and ammunition years after it suspended operations.
Its Director-General, Maj.-Gen. Aniedi Edet, made the declaration in Jos on Tuesday when he visited Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army.
The corporation’s 24th director-general said it was undergoing some reforms aimed at meeting its statutory mandates.
“DICON was established in 1964 and mandated to produce enough to meet the defence needs of the entire armed forces and other security agencies.
“Over the years, DICON has been doing its best to meet these needs, but people feel it should do more.
“We have resumed the production of ammunitions which has been stalled for sometimes. As we speak, we are churning out a good batch of 7.6 by 55mm rounds of ammunition.
“In January, DICON supplied about four million rounds of ammunition to the Nigerian Army and it is assembling some range of weapons; these are very nice weapons that will enhance its operations,’’ he said.
Edet added that the signing of the DICON Bill into law by President Bola Tinubu in November 2023 would enable it to build a military industrial complex with DICON as the hub.
“This will enable us to incorporate so many defence-related industries in Nigeria which have the potential and capability to meet the country’s defence needs.
“This simply means that DICON needs to build a robust partnership with relevant government agencies and organisations to achieve its mandate,’’ he said.
Edet commended the GOC and his men for the efforts being made to tackle myriad security challenges confronting Plateau and its other areas of responsibility.
He promised to support the GOC to achieve lasting peace in the areas.
Responding, Gen. Abubakar thanked Edet and said the visit would further boost the morale of troops to curb current security challenges.
He advised Edet to harness the talents of illegal weapons manufacturers into productive venture in DICON.
“In the last six months, we have mopped up more than 300-locally fabricated small and light weapons, including locally-fabricated monitors, sub-machine guns and AK-47 rifles.
“The producers been arrested and are undergoing investigations; but we believe that we can put these potentials into good use for national security.
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“I will advise also that you critically look into the area of research and development,’’ Abubakar said.
The Federal Government established DICON in 1964 to operate ordnance factories for the manufacture and supply of arms and ammunition.
It was also established to test and recommend ordinance materials intended for use by the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security organisations while using its excess capacity to support the development of local industries. (NAN)
