The Nigerian federal government has commenced the prosecution of 10 individuals involved in the illicit importation of arms, following an investigation that uncovered a substantial cache of illegal firearms from the Nigeria Customs Service. The prosecution is part of broader efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.
Key Developments:
- Arms Seizure: The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) retrieved a significant quantity of illegal arms on July 1, 2024, which led to the arrest of the suspects.
- Weapon Destruction: By the end of September 2024, the government plans to destroy all seized illegal arms, including 3,383 decommissioned weapons and 26,749 rounds of ammunition. Obsolete and unserviceable weapons from arms-bearing agencies will also be eliminated to ensure they do not re-enter circulation.
- National Workshop: A workshop focused on gender mainstreaming in preventing the spread of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria and West Africa was held in Abuja. The event, attended by representatives from the National Security Adviser’s office, highlighted the significance of this issue to Nigeria’s security.
This initiative follows President Bola Tinubu’s assent to a bill aimed at controlling the proliferation of small arms in Nigeria.
Hyelsinta Hassan