“If you like produce atomic boommbbss, a failed govt will still fail its people” – Social media erupts in skepticism over Nigeria’s first locally-made rifles

By Chioma Obinagwam 

The announcement of Nigeria’s first batch of domestically produced assault rifles by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) did not sit well with most Nigerians, as social media erupted with mixed reactions.

Confiance News gathered that an X user, @EqualRnJustice, took to the comments section of Olusegun Dada (@DOlusegun)—Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media—to express his displeasure at the current state of affairs in Nigeria.

He said: “If you like produce atomic boommbbss, a failed govt will still fail its people” – capturing the raw skepticism of many Nigerians amid ongoing security challenges.

Confiance News reports that Dada had shared a video with a post that simply states: “Nigeria unveils first batch of locally manufactured rifles,” accompanied by a 2-minute clip showing workers in blue overalls assembling sleek, black rifles on a production line at the DICON facility in Kaduna. The video, which had garnered 158 likes, 59 reposts, and over 4,000 views as of Thursday morning, reveal a polarized public mood.

@EqualRnJustice’s full response expands on the sentiment, accusing the administration of a “deal with terrorists” and invoking drastic remedies like “Trump or balkanization” to “save the failed state,” highlighting deeper anxieties over insecurity and perceived leadership failures. This comment stands out for its unfiltered tone, though engagement remains modest (1 like, 42 views), underscoring how even low-visibility posts can amplify national debates on platforms like X.

The wave of doubt spilled over to popular news aggregator @NigeriaStories, whose November 25 post on the same DG-103 rifle unveiling – “BREAKING NEWS: The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria has unveiled the first batch of its locally manufactured DG-103 rifles, marking a significant step toward reducing the country’s dependence on imported w€apons and ammun!tion. There, users unleashed a barrage of comments mirroring @EqualRnJustice’s cynicism, questioning whether the rifles would empower security forces or merely fuel corruption and banditry.

Some of the X users corroborated EqualRnJustice’s posts:

– @felixherbt (379 likes): “Nice display, Christmas gift for terrorists. Bandits are already jubilating over the new arrivals. Soon, bandits will get these guns first, straight from the factory to the forest. Is this not Nigeria?”

– @d_osinaike (176 likes): “Before we know it, it will find its way to the bandits.”

– @KyleAus93866583 (174 likes): “Next thing na Bandit raided the company and stole over 700000 ammunition and weapons killing just the security and few workers then kidnapping the ladies. Very fucked up country. Nothing new.”

These replies, laced with dark humor and resignation, underscore fears that Nigeria’s systemic issues – from arms proliferation to governance lapses – will undermine the project’s intent. Other critical voices, like @Fabulouzeli (60 likes), warned of embezzlement: “Yeah probably will be producing 10 rifles a year, and funds for manufacturing will be embezzled. This is Nigeria,” while @MarvellousIsra3 (20 likes) alleged foreign meddling and ulterior motives: “Is it DIC that did the guns or foreign contractors? … Why should I celebrate this feat? Is it guns you guys would soon handover to terrorists? … this is not for our benefit, but for those bloodthirsty Fulanis.”

The rifles in question are the DG-103, an upgraded, locally assembled variant of the Russian AK-103 assault rifle chambered in 7.62×39 mm, designed for Nigerian security forces. According to DICON-D7G – a joint venture between Nigeria’s state-owned DICON and Pakistan’s Global Industrial Defence Solutions (GIDS) – nearly 1,000 units were produced and delivered within the venture’s first two months of operations, following their partnership unveiling at the African Chiefs of Defence Summit in Abuja in August 2025. Osman Chennar, CEO of DICON-D7G, confirmed during a technical briefing in Abuja that “every rifle in this initial tranche underwent and passed comprehensive certification protocols to ensure they meet the specific operational standards demanded by Nigerian security agencies.”

This milestone builds on the DICON Act of 2024, signed by President Tinubu in November last year, which granted the corporation greater autonomy and funding to revive local arms production – a capability dormant since the Nigerian Civil War era, when DICON, established in 1964 with West German partner Fritz Werner, tripled output of rifles and ammunition. The DG-103 rollout aims to cut Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported small arms, with DICON-D7G targeting 60 million rounds of ammunition annually and expanding into drones, counter-UAV systems, and even a Lagos-based weapons facility by February 2026.

Yet, as @EqualRnJustice’s words and the @NigeriaStories thread suggest, the achievement has not quelled public doubts. Other replies in Dada’s thread echo similar concerns: @UtopiaDonald questioned, “But must you appoint a foreigner to head DICON?” – a nod to Chennar’s Pakistani background leading the venture. @MEbuzome5996 launched a broader tirade, claiming “Nigeria is burning — economy collapsing, insecurity everywhere” under a “TINUBULISED DEMOCRACY” where institutions have “collapsed.” Broader semantic searches on X reveal parallel reactions, such as @oyinakindele’s warning against arming civilians in a “complete state of lawlessness,” arguing it would “mix poverty, illiteracy, [and] violence… with access to guns,” potentially leading to more bloodshed among the innocent.

On the positive side, supporters hailed the step as vital for self-reliance. @amazingwolex called it “a great achievement in our effort to develop our security framework. Kudos to the PBAT administration,” while @sureBigbro simply marveled, “Wow. this is amazing 😻.” Medical doctor @Rich_Mind1 provided historical context in a related post, crediting late President Buhari for revitalizing DICON and Tinubu for the 2023 bill and a $1 billion Indian modernization deal, predicting reduced foreign dependence and potential exports.

Defence experts view the development as a pragmatic advance. Chennar emphasized in his briefing that the rifles’ certification ensures they “meet the operational standards of the Nigerian Armed Forces,” positioning DICON-D7G as a “central role in Nigeria’s defence industry” for export potential across Africa. A Punch Nigeria report described it as a “significant step toward reducing the country’s dependence on imported weapons,” aligning with broader goals to enhance national security readiness.

As production ramps up – with plans for armored vehicles, shipyards, and beyond – the DG-103 batch symbolizes Nigeria’s defense ambitions. But @EqualRnJustice’s viral jab and the chorus from @NigeriaStories’ comments remind that hardware alone may not suffice without addressing the “failed state” grievances fueling public ire. For now, the rifles are strictly for security agencies, but the online firestorm underscores a nation demanding more than assembly lines to feel secure.

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