FG Destroys 2,819 Illegal Weapons, Reaffirms Commitment to National Security

The Federal Government has destroyed 2,819 illicitly acquired, decommissioned and unserviceable small arms and light weapons in a renewed effort to curb violent crime and strengthen national security.

The destruction exercise, carried out by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons at the General Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja, brings the total number of illegal weapons destroyed by the Centre since its establishment to 19,000.

Speaking at the event through the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dennis Brutu Otuaro, who represented him, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, said the protection of lives and property remains the Federal Government’s foremost priority.

Ribadu said the proliferation of illegal arms continues to fuel terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence across the country, stressing that every weapon recovered and destroyed represents “a threat permanently neutralised.”

He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has adopted a comprehensive security strategy anchored on intelligence-led operations, improved collaboration among security agencies, disruption of criminal financing networks and strengthened international partnerships.

According to the NSA, the strategy has yielded positive results, including the degradation of terrorist networks, improved border security and enhanced capacity to respond to emerging security threats.

He described the destruction of illicit weapons as an important component of Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that it complements ongoing military and law enforcement operations by reducing the number of firearms available to criminal groups.

“The control and destruction of illicit small arms and light weapons is an essential component of our national security strategy. It supports kinetic operations by shrinking the pool of weapons available to those who seek to unleash terror and violence on our communities,” Ribadu said.

The NSA commended the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Johnson Kokumo, for the Centre’s professionalism and consistency.

He also praised the collaborative efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies whose recovered weapons formed part of the destruction exercise.

Ribadu urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, community stakeholders and citizens to support efforts to prevent the proliferation of illegal arms, emphasising that national security is a collective responsibility.

He added that public destruction exercises demonstrate the government’s commitment to translating its security promises into concrete action while strengthening public confidence in ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and property across the country.