Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President, has stated that the politics of arms purchases has forced the government to produce its own weapons.
In the face of increased terrorism and non-state actors’ access to illegal weapons, Osinbajo, speaking at the 45th Convocation of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Saturday, also advocated for smarter means of policing the country, including the employment of smart drones and surveillance technology.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, Osinbajo, who also represented the university’s visitor, President Muhammadu Buhari (retd. ), remarked that certain Nigerian firms were already producing and exporting Armoured Personnel Carriers to other African countries.
Osinbajo, who acknowledged the country’s enormous issues, said the means to address them and the components to employ them were there, and he cited the efforts of young Nigerians who were rising to the occasion.
He said, “The insecurity problem that we are experiencing, the rise of terrorism in some parts of the country, the access to illegal weaponry by non-state actors tells us that we must be smarter in policing the country, using smart drones and surveillance equipment.
“The politicisation of our means of purchase of weapons tells us that we must manufacture our own arms. Already, some Nigerian companies led by Profex, a Nigerian company is already manufacturing arm’s and exporting them to several African countries.”
Delivering a convocation lecture titled, ‘When is a nation: Exploring the socio-political crises in post-independence Nigeria’ Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, declared that the arrogant posturing that the unity of the country was not negotiable must be jettisoned for a more humble and intelligent response to natural agitations against discontent.