The National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has announced that nearly 70% of the 11 million illegal firearms in West Africa are located in Nigeria.
The South South Zonal Director of NCCSALW, Alex Ebimiebo, stated that the main reason behind this illegal arms trafficking is the presence of 2.2 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and 26,000 refugees in neighboring countries.
SECURITY IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL CITIZENS
In his presentation titled “Strengthening Security Agencies’ Collaboration to Counter Illicit Arms Proliferation for Enhanced National Security in Nigeria”, Ebimiebo shared these remarks.
He also warned that such armament could lead to economic distortions, an increase in crime rates, and violence.
Calling for joint action to address these issues, Ebimiebo emphasized that security is the responsibility of everyone.
BORDERS AND SEA ROUTES FUEL SMUGGLING
The Commandant of the Naval War College, Rear Admiral Akinola Oludude, noted that the rise in illegal arms has been ongoing since 2020.
He explained that the extensive 4,470-kilometer border Nigeria shares with Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon facilitates such smuggling.
He also pointed out that the country’s 853-kilometer coastline and maritime domain in the Gulf of Guinea are being used as routes for the illegal arms trade.
MILLIONS OF WEAPONS IN THE HANDS OF NON-STATE ACTORS
According to figures shared by Oludude, there are over six million illegal firearms in circulation in the country, and about 70% of them are still in the hands of non-state actors.
These weapons are used for crimes such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and communal clashes.