National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has disclosed that a significant number of the illegal weapons being wielded by terrorists and bandits in Nigeria were originally belonged to the Federal Government. Ribadu expressed this during a weapons destruction event organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment in Abuja.

 

National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu made a startling revelation during a weapons destruction event organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment in Abuja. He disclosed that a significant number of the illegal weapons currently being used by terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements in Nigeria originally belonged to the Federal Government.

Ribadu’s statement highlights a concerning issue within Nigeria’s security framework: the diversion or theft of government-issued arms that end up in the hands of non-state actors. This has fueled the violent activities of terrorists and bandits, contributing to the ongoing security crisis in the country, particularly in regions like the North East, North West, and parts of the Middle Belt.

The event, aimed at destroying confiscated or recovered illegal weapons, was part of a broader initiative by the NCCSALW to address the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) in Nigeria. The presence of these illicit arms has been a major contributor to instability, criminal activities, and loss of lives in several parts of the country. The NCCSALW is focused on regulating and controlling the flow of these weapons and reducing the availability of arms to groups that pose threats to national security.

National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has disclosed that a significant number of the illegal weapons being wielded by terrorists and bandits in Nigeria were originally belonged to the Federal Government.

Ribadu expressed this during a weapons destruction event organized… pic.twitter.com/FyDVM2xKxT

— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) October 17, 2024

Mallam Ribadu’s disclosure underscores the need for greater accountability in arms management within the country's security agencies. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the processes involved in the procurement, distribution, and management of government weapons to prevent their diversion. Furthermore, Ribadu called for enhanced cooperation between security agencies to curb arms smuggling, a key factor that exacerbates the availability of illegal weapons.

The destruction of illegal weapons is a step in the right direction, symbolizing the government's commitment to combatting the scourge of illegal arms in Nigeria. However, it also serves as a reminder that stronger measures are needed to secure government weapons and prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

This revelation has brought renewed attention to Nigeria's complex security challenges and the ongoing efforts to control the proliferation of arms as a means of restoring peace and stability across the country.