The Nigerian Government has destroyed 2,809 illicit, decommissioned and unserviceable small arms and light weapons, reaffirming its resolve to stem the proliferation of illegal weapons fuelling insecurity across the country.
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, NCCSALW, carried out the destruction in Abuja on Thursday, bringing the cumulative number of weapons destroyed by the centre to 19,000.
The National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, while speaking at the event, said the exercise demonstrated the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and national security.
Represented by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, the NSA stated that terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and other violent crimes were sustained by the widespread availability of illicit arms.
According to him, every weapon recovered and permanently destroyed represents a threat eliminated from society.
“It is important to emphasise that recovering weapons alone is not enough.
“Public, transparent and verifiable destruction guarantees that these recovered weapons can never again be used against any Nigerian,” he said.
He added that his office, with the support of President Bola Tinubu has pursued an intelligence-led national security strategy anchored on stronger inter-agency collaboration, disruption of criminal financing networks, enhanced border security and renewed international partnerships.
According to him, the strategy produced measurable gains by degrading terrorist capabilities and strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, calling on Nigerians to support security agencies by reporting illegal possession, manufacture, trafficking and movement of arms.
Ribadu also urged traditional and religious leaders to promote peace, dialogue and voluntary disarmament within their communities.
Nigerian govt destroys 2,809 illicit arms, vows tougher action against traffickers