Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria

DICON was established in 1964 through an act of parliament in the Nigerian National Assembly.[3]

By 2018, Major General Victor Okwudili Ezugwu as appointed as DICON's director-general.[4]

It makes licensed copies of the Mills M36M (M36) handgrenade, Browning P-35 (NP-1) pistol, Beretta M12 (PMG-12) submachine gun, Beretta BM59 and FN FAL (NR1 Model 7.62) battle rifles, FN MAG (GPMG) machinegun, and RPG-7 (RPG) rocket launcher. The OBJ-006, a copy of the 7.62mm AK-47 assault rifle, is produced by DICON in 2006.[5]

DICoN has recently procured rights to manufacture a copy of the Polish FB 5.56mm Kbs wz.96 Beryl assault rifle, possibly to replace the FAL and/or AK-47 in service.[6]

In 2012, DICON and Marom Dolphin signed an agreement to establish a joint venture to produce ballistic vests.[7] In 2013, DICON officials denied allegations that Nigerian-made ballistic vests from DICON factories are made under substandard conditions.[8]

On October 3, 2019, DICON unveiled its first armored vehicle, known as the Ezugwu MRAP.[9] The MRAP was made in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Command Engineering Depot.[9] It was named after Major General Victor Ezugwu, who was known for his efforts in fighting against Boko Haram, [10] who is the director-general of DICON at the end of 2018.[11][12] This was publicly shown in a ceremony by Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai at the Abuja International Trade Fair Complex during a Nigerian Army Day event.[9]

In the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, DICON has produced ventilators, face shields, face masks and hand sanitizers.[13]

• Official website