FG Destroys Over 13,000 Illegal Firearms to Curb Arms Proliferation

 

The Federal Government has destroyed more than 13,000 illegal and obsolete firearms in the last four years as part of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of small arms across the country.

This was disclosed by the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Johnson Kokumo, during the agency’s fifth arms destruction exercise held on Thursday at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja.

Kokumo revealed that 1,316 assorted weapons were destroyed at the event, bringing the total number of firearms eliminated since 2021 to over 13,230.

He explained that the destruction of seized and obsolete weapons has become a routine exercise for the centre, stressing that the initiative is crucial for promoting an arms-free society and strengthening national security.

“This exercise is not just about burning weapons but also a demonstration of transparency and accountability to ensure illegal arms never return to circulation,” Kokumo said.

He noted that the destroyed weapons included firearms seized during counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations, obsolete stock from the armed forces, and arms surrendered by other security agencies.

According to him, the exercise also fulfills Nigeria’s commitments to international arms control agreements, including Article 17 of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, as well as the United Nations Programme of Action on illicit arms.

Kokumo further highlighted collaborations with neighboring countries and development partners aimed at addressing cross-border arms trafficking.

“Beyond ECOWAS, we are engaging Chad and Cameroon to stem the tide of cross-border arms trafficking, and these engagements are already yielding results,” he said.

The NCCSALW boss assured that the destruction of illicit weapons would continue as a regular measure to safeguard Nigeria’s peace and stability.