₦airaland Forum

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said the ongoing conflicts involving Israel, Iran, the United States, Russia and Ukraine are making it increasingly difficult for Nigeria and other countries to procure military equipment needed to tackle insecurity.

The minister also lamented the absence of a comprehensive national database, saying it was hindering the efforts of security agencies, particularly the police, in tracking criminals and preventing crimes.

Musa stated this on Saturday while delivering a keynote address at the Nigerian People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja.

Speaking on challenges confronting the country’s security architecture, he said global conflicts had disrupted access to military hardware, making it imperative for Nigeria to strengthen local defence production.

With the war in Ukraine, Russia, Iran, the U.S. and Israel, it’s been extremely difficult getting equipment. Because most times they do down payment because they have the money and they produce most of these items. So even when you go to get, they have booked for them, and so it’s difficult.

"The only solution is for us to produce what we need,” he said.

He commended indigenous defence manufacturers and innovators, urging greater government support and patronage for locally produced military equipment.

The minister also appealed to the National Assembly to support the creation of a comprehensive database for Nigerians, describing it as critical to effective policing and national security.

"I want to also appeal to the National Assembly on the issue of a database. We must develop a database for every Nigerian in the world. There is a capacity to do that.

“It is only with that that it will make the job a lot easier for security forces. The Nigerian police is struggling because they don’t have a database to track and trace,” he said.

Musa, however, praised the police for their performance despite operational challenges.

“I commend them because I think they are performing magic. Some of the crimes they’re able to bring out, I can tell you it’s extremely difficult without a database,” he said.

brain54:
Na only Russia and isreal dey sell arms...?


He is 💯 right about the database though. Nigeria needs a working database to confront it's security challenges plus other reasons. That database is very important... even for planning as a country. It's a shame Nigeria doesn't have a database at this point.

Lastly, what is DICON doing about the arms shortage? Nigeria suppose don reach the level where e go dey manufacture majority of its own weapons o... especially the light and small weapons and artillery.
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No investments in these things. Our leaders own na just opportunity to loot they dey there dey find.

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The Nigerian army itself i don't want to call a disgrace because of the hardworking soldiers some of whom have given their lives in service of this country.
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But tell me how in the last 20 years or so there isn't any major investment or upgrade in terms of equipment and hardware inspite of the increase in insurgency and insecurity in the country?

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These things are not rocket science o... we just have leaders who make everything... even ABC look difficult because they don't care!

Mattswaggz:
So where are bandits getting their supply from then?. .

agulion:
So how come islamic bandits and Terrorists (BAT) are getting arms

Mosco100:
Then let us manufacture our own. This is an employment opportunity.