President wants Nigeria to make its own weapons

monjola sotubo

August 7, 2015 4:05 PM

Buhari, on Friday, August 7, 2015, instructed the Federal Ministry of Defence to prepare a plan for the establishment of a Military Industrial Complex in the country, according to the Presidency.

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has taken steps to ensure that Nigeria begins producing its own weapons in the near future.

The complex will be used for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the country's armed forces.

This was contained in a statement released by presidential media aide, Garba Shehu on Friday.

It reads:

“President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja directed the Federal Ministry of Defence to produce a plan for the establishment of a modest Military Industrial Complex for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the country's armed forces.”

“Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the National Defence College, President Buhari described as unacceptable, Nigeria's current over-dependence on other countries for critical military equipment and logistics.”

“We must evolve viable mechanisms for near self-sufficiency in military equipment and logistics production complemented only by very advanced foreign technologies,” Buhari said.”

“The Ministry of Defence is being tasked to draw up clear and measurable outlines for development of a modest Military Industrial Complex for Nigeria.”

“We must apply a comprehensive strategy and coordinate all elements of national power against terrorism and insurgency; we must show result oriented leadership at all levels of military Command; we must set up an optimal organization to manage and sustain operational performance; and we must show confidence and winning mentality," President Buhari said.”

This comes after Buhari protested against the US’ Leahy Law which has kept the country from selling anti-terror weapons to Nigeria.

The Leahy Law prevents the US from selling weapons to countries whose soldiers have been accused of abusing human rights.

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