Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), has disclosed that non-state actors in the Sahel region possess up to 14 million firearms. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Nigerian ambassador-designate to China emphasized that protecting the welfare and interests of Nigerians residing in China will be his primary focus. He also aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in human capital development, infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, and security.
Firearm Proliferation in West Africa
According to Dambazau, 11 million of these firearms are concentrated in the stretch from West Africa to Central Africa. He noted that insecurity in Nigeria is a complex regional issue requiring a collaborative approach. The proliferation of firearms is a major contributor to insecurity in Nigeria and the Sahel region, necessitating partnerships to address it effectively.
He stated: “As of the last count, statistics show that over 14 million firearms are in the hands of non-state actors in the region. Out of this, about 11 million are within the West Africa to Central Africa stretch. Given the activities of non-state actors in Nigeria and our population, a significant number of these firearms are also within Nigeria. These weapons are not manufactured in Africa; they originate elsewhere. Thus, we need partnerships to tackle proliferation, starting with identifying and blocking the sources.”
Role of Technology
The former army chief stressed that technology is essential to sweep the excess firearms from non-state actors.
Visit to NiDCOM
During a courtesy visit to the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, ahead of his assumption of office in China, Dambazau highlighted that China hosts a significant Nigerian population, primarily engaged in trade and commerce. He emphasized the need to collaborate with NiDCOM to provide guidance and support for Nigerians in China, encouraging them to be worthy ambassadors of their homeland.
Bilateral Relations
On bilateral ties, Dambazau noted that Nigeria and China have maintained formal diplomatic relations since 1971, strengthened over decades through multiple state visits. He recalled President Bola Tinubu’s 2024 visit to Beijing, during which China expressed support for the Renewed Hope Agenda, and Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the One China Policy, as the latest demonstration of this partnership.
Receiving the new envoy, Dabiri-Erewa applauded him as the first ambassador to call on the commission, stating that his experience in government and security would benefit Nigeria’s diaspora community in China.
