How Israel-Iran war is affecting military equipment supply — Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), has said the ongoing conflict involving Israel, Iran and other global powers is affecting Nigeria’s ability to acquire military equipment needed to combat insecurity.

Musa said the international crises had disrupted the supply of military hardware, making it increasingly difficult for Nigeria and several other countries to access defence equipment. 

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

The minister said the situation highlights the urgent need for Nigeria to invest in local production of military equipment rather than relying heavily on foreign suppliers.

“With the war in Ukraine, Russia, Iran, US and Israel, it has been extremely difficult getting equipment. 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, so it’s difficult. The only solution is for us to produce what we need,” he said.

Musa praised local defence manufacturers and innovators for their contributions to the sector and urged authorities to provide stronger support for indigenous production.

He also raised concerns over the lack of a comprehensive national database, describing it as a major challenge for security agencies, especially the police, in tracking suspects and tackling crime.

The minister appealed to the National Assembly to support efforts aimed at creating a reliable database covering all Nigerians, saying it would significantly improve security operations across the country.

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“I want to also appeal to the National Assembly on the issue of a database. We must develop a database for every Nigerian in this 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, to trace,” he said.

Despite the challenge, Musa commended the police for what he described as remarkable achievements in crime prevention and investigation.

“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.

The defence minister stressed that effective security depends on cooperation between citizens and security agencies, noting that authorities cannot prevent crime without prompt information from the public.

“Security agencies are not magicians. If they don’t get the support and information at the right time, it becomes extremely difficult to curtail it,” he said.

He pointed to recurring cases of vandalism targeting public infrastructure such as roads, railway facilities and solar-powered streetlights, noting that many of the incidents occur in communities where suspicious activities go unreported.

Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, described insecurity as a complex issue that requires solutions beyond military action.

Kalu said factors such as poverty, unemployment, poor education, weak local governance and social exclusion must be addressed to achieve lasting security across the country.

“As Parliament, we remain committed to supporting our security institutions through legislation, oversight and adequate funding to ensure they are properly equipped to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

“However, our approach to security must extend beyond kinetic operations. While military and law enforcement responses remain necessary, sustainable security requires greater emphasis on non-kinetic measures.”

He also supported calls for stronger national data management systems, stressing that accurate and reliable data remains essential for governance, economic development and effective security planning.