The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has hinted that local gun manufacturers will be meaningfully engaged to showcase their skills in the interest of the country.

Speaking when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Defence to defend the 2025 budget, he assured that once the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Bill is assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the goal would be actualized.

The CDS pledged to boost the production of various weapons in Nigeria with DICON.

He said: “What we are doing again is that we have a number of local manufacturers of weapons. They have the talents, but they don’t have anywhere to showcase them. So, the tendency is that if they are not used positively, they will go, because they want to survive; they will go negatively. And that’s why, in some areas, we have identified people who produce very good weapons, automatic, but local.

“So, what we are doing is trying to get them, bring them in, and give them the platform so they can come and legitimately produce these items. Gradually, Nigeria can start producing its own kind of weapon, so we don’t have to rely on foreigners to get our own weapons.

“We are doing that and looking at experts. What we are doing is talent hunting all over the country and then bringing them in to produce these items for us.”

The CDS said the arrest of Simon Ekpa in Finland, alongside Operation Udoka, has greatly reduced the tension in the Southeast.

Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Rep. Babajimi Benson, said as representatives of the people, it is their duty to ensure that every naira is judiciously spent to strengthen the operational capacity of the Air Force and deliver tangible results.

He said this year’s budget defense is particularly significant as it comes against the backdrop of evolving global and domestic security threats.