The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has described the destruction of more than 19,000 illicit, decommissioned and unserviceable small arms and light weapons by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) as a strong demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to tackling insecurity.
Represented by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, at the destruction of an additional 2,809 recovered weapons in Abuja on Thursday, Ribadu said the initiative reflects sustained institutional efforts to make Nigeria safer.
He noted that the proliferation of illegal arms remains a key driver of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and other violent crimes across the country.
According to him, every weapon recovered and permanently destroyed removes a potential threat to public safety, stressing that transparent destruction prevents recovered arms from finding their way back into criminal circulation.
Ribadu said the Federal Government’s national security strategy under President Bola Tinubu combines intelligence-led operations, stronger inter-agency collaboration, disruption of criminal financing networks, improved border security and enhanced international partnerships.
He said the destruction of illicit weapons complements ongoing military and law enforcement operations by steadily reducing the stockpile of arms available to criminal groups.
The NSA commended the NCCSALW, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies for their collaboration in recovering and destroying illegal weapons.
He urged Nigerians to support security agencies by reporting illegal possession, trafficking and manufacture of arms, while also calling on traditional and religious leaders to promote peace and voluntary disarmament.
Ribadu warned individuals involved in illegal arms trafficking that every recovered weapon would ultimately be destroyed, reaffirming the government’s determination to protect lives and property.
Also speaking, Director-General of NCCSALW, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Babatunde Kokumo, said the Centre was established under the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act 2024 to coordinate Nigeria’s response to illicit arms proliferation in line with regional and international obligations.
Kokumo disclosed that before Thursday’s exercise, the Centre had recovered over 21,000 illicit, obsolete and decommissioned weapons and destroyed more than 16,000.
He said the latest exercise increased the cumulative number of permanently destroyed weapons to about 19,000, describing it as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.
According to him, reducing the number of illicit weapons in circulation remains a critical component of the Federal Government’s broader security strategy aimed at restoring peace and stability nationwide.
The NCCSALW boss also praised the Nigeria Police Force for contributing the largest number of recovered weapons destroyed under the programme, alongside the Armed Forces, DSS, Customs and other security agencies.
He assured Nigerians that the Centre would continue to ensure recovered weapons are properly documented and permanently destroyed in line with international best practices.
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