Nigeria Destroys 2,800 Illicit Firearms in Major Security Operation
The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a decisive step in its fight against violent crime and insecurity by destroying more than 2,800 illicit firearms in a significant security exercise held in Abuja. This operation, conducted by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSLAW), marks the fifth such arms destruction event since the centre's establishment.
National Security Adviser Emphasizes Threat of Arms Proliferation
At the event, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Maj.-Gen. Hillary Mabeokwu, Director of Defence Affairs, described the widespread availability of small arms and light weapons as a severe threat to Nigeria's national security. Ribadu reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to addressing the complex challenge of controlling the spread of these illicit firearms, which fuel terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes across the nation.
The NCCSLAW, founded in 2021, serves as a strategic platform designed specifically to combat arms proliferation. Ribadu noted that the centre provides a structured framework to tackle national security threats in alignment with international protocols, including Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Landmark Legislation and International Standards
Ribadu also praised the recent enactment of the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act 2024, signed by President Bola Tinubu, calling it a landmark step toward achieving an arms-free society. "This Act provides the legal foundation for the centre to carry out its mandate more effectively," he emphasized, highlighting how it strengthens Nigeria's regulatory framework.
Johnson Kokumo, Director-General of NCCSLAW, detailed that the destroyed weapons included locally fabricated arms recovered from police commands nationwide, as well as from the military and other security agencies. He explained that the exercise adheres to strict international standards, such as the ECOWAS Convention and the United Nations Programme of Action, which aim to prevent and combat the illicit trade in small arms.
Significant Progress and Call for Public Support
Kokumo revealed that since the centre's inception, over 16,000 illicit, decommissioned, and obsolete weapons have been destroyed, with the latest exercise accounting for 2,800 firearms. This demonstrates the agency's ongoing commitment to curbing the spread of illicit weapons and promoting regional peace and stability.
He urged Nigerian citizens to actively support security agencies by providing timely and accurate information, stressing that public cooperation is vital to ensuring lasting peace and security across the country. The destruction exercise underscores the government's proactive approach to reducing the arsenal available to criminal elements.
High-Level Attendance and Broader Implications
The event was attended by a wide array of stakeholders, including:
- Top security officials and representatives of service chiefs
- Heads of various government agencies
- Delegates from ECOWAS
- Civil society groups
- National Youth Service Corps members
- Members of the media
This collective presence highlights the broad-based support for Nigeria's efforts to enhance security through arms control. The destruction of these firearms is seen as a critical measure in mitigating the tools of violence, thereby contributing to a safer environment for all Nigerians and aligning with global initiatives to combat illicit arms trafficking.
