The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has stated that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) constitutes a huge threat to Nigeria’s national security and has become a key driver of violent conflict, crimes, and terrorism within and beyond the nation’s borders.
The NSA, Mallam Ribadu, stated this at the public destruction of 3,867 illicitly acquired, decommissioned, and unserviceable small arms and light weapons, at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment Giri, Abuja, on Thursday.
It is the fourth in a series of exercises anchored by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) since the centre was established in 2021.
Mallam Ribadu, who was represented at the exercise by the Special Adviser on Governance and Subnational Liaison, Mr. Asishana Okauru, said Nigeria can defeat terrorism through concerted government efforts and citizen unity, particularly by controlling illicit arms proliferation.
According to the NSA, there is no denying the complexity of the challenges of controlling the proliferation of SALW in Nigeria and the fact that it requires collaborative action from the government, international community, and all well-meaning Civil Society Organisations.
He therefore affirmed Nigeria’s resolve to galvanise its strength and unity, working against such negative trends as a nation to confront the monstrous challenges that are surmountable.
While applauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to putting an end to ilicit arms in the country, he referenced the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in 2021 as a historic step towards addressing the problem of small arms proliferation through an institutional platform to structurally address factors contributing to national security threat within international protocols.
“The public destruction of illicitly acquired decommissioned and unserviceable small arms and light weapons today is a reminder to all Nigerians of our collective responsibility to support the Government and by extension the security agencies in our fight to defeat criminality, terrorism, banditry and all other forms of behaviours that threaten our national interest and socio-economic wellbeing.
“It is a clarion call to reclaim our security space and restore our nation to the path of peace, security, and development. We, as patriotic citizens, must stand up to be counted at this time by providing information to the security agencies and we must trust the Government to bring the state’s authority to bear in ensuring that all Nigerians, wherever they may reside, enjoy the peace and security that they truly deserve.”
The National Security Adviser further revealed that the Federal Government is also taking firm steps through relevant Ministries and Government Agencies to tighten domestic controls, prevent and reduce the flow of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) into illegal hands who are working to undermine national security.
He expressed confidence in the National Centre’s ability that given the time and the necessary support, it will successfully deliver on its mandate of significantly eradicating illicit SALW from the Nigerian society.