Nigeria's arms control agency destroyed 2,819 illicit, obsolete, and decommissioned weapons in a public exercise aimed at curbing insecurity fueled by the proliferation of illegal arms. The destruction is part of a broader government strategy to enhance safety and prevent weapons from re-entering circulation.
The destruction of nearly 3,000 illicit weapons signifies Nigeria's ongoing efforts to combat widespread insecurity, which is significantly fueled by the proliferation of illegal arms. This action aims to reduce the availability of weapons to criminal elements and enhance public safety.
Nigeria's arms control agency destroyed 2,819 illicit, obsolete, and decommissioned weapons in a public exercise aimed at curbing insecurity fueled by the proliferation of illegal arms. Agency chief Johnson Kokumo stated the weapons were destroyed beyond recovery to prevent them from re-entering circulation.
The destruction comes as Nigeria grapples with banditry, kidnappings, insurgency, and communal violence, which authorities attribute to the widespread availability of illegal weapons. Since its establishment in 2021, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has seized over 21,000 illicit weapons, with more than 19,000 previously destroyed.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Dr. Dennis Otuaro, emphasized that the destruction demonstrates the government's commitment to making Nigeria safer. He noted the direct link between illicit arms and the country's insecurity, stating that each destroyed weapon removes a threat from society. Ribadu highlighted the Federal Government's security strategy, which includes intelligence-led operations, inter-agency cooperation, disruption of criminal financing, enhanced border security, and international collaboration.
The NCCSALW was established to coordinate Nigeria's national response to illicit arms proliferation, aligning with regional and international frameworks. The Nigeria Police Force contributed the largest number of weapons to the destruction exercise.