Director General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General Aniedi Edet, has said that non-access to local raw materials that can aid in the production of arms and ammunition has been a major setback in combating insecurity in the country.

Addressing newsmen after an assessment tour of facilities at the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC), Jos, Plateau State, on Thursday, February 15, Edet revealed that they’ve been importing raw materials for arms production and it takes a lot of time for delivery by the foreign companies.

He said;

“As you know, DICON is involved in the production of military and defence hardware to sustain the armed forces and other security agencies in the country. But we have been importing the raw materials, and it takes a lot of time for delivery by the foreign companies. Such delays affect our response to insecurity across the country.

“But having realised that we can get all the raw materials we are looking for from NMDC, like lead, copper and brass, we have resolved to look inward in 2024 to get these materials.”