One Million Light Weapons Circulating in Nigeria, Says NSA – TheNigerialawyer

* Police recover 2,037 firearms, 21,870 ammunition

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) stated
yesterday that of the 857 million Small and Light Weapons (SALW) in
circulation globally and the 12 billion rounds of ammunition
produced annually, 10 million are estimated to be in Africa with
one million of them circulating in Nigeria.

This is coming as the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Adamu
Mohammed, said the Nigerian Police recovered 2,037 firearms of
various caliber and descriptions and 21,870 ammunition in 2019.

The figure on small and light weapons was contained in the
National Security Strategy document formally presented to the
public by the ONSA.
It said the weapons in circulation were connected with past and
ongoing conflicts in West and North African countries.

“The proliferation of SALWs is a global phenomenon arising from
conflicts across the globe. According to a survey conducted by the
Geneva-based Small Arms Survey, it is estimated that more than 857
million SALWs are currently in circulation aside from 12 billion
rounds of ammunition produced annually.

“Of these, 10 million SALWs are estimated to be in Africa with
one million of these in Nigeria. Proliferation of SALWs aid
non-state actors like Boko Haram and bandits while undermining
state monopoly of instruments of coercion.

“The threats posed by proliferation of SALWs are of such
magnitude that a security strategy which contemplates the
monitoring of their flow and use is required,” he said.

Speaking at the formal presentation of the 2019 National
Security Strategy (NSS) in Abuja, the National Security Adviser
(NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), said the NSS was
occasioned by the myriad of security challenges confronting the
nation, notably, terrorism, kidnapping and banditry, among
others.

He said the strategy relied on other documents earlier produced
by the ONSA, including counterterrorism and cybercrime documents
and the national defence strategy by the military.

The ONSA, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Policy and
Strategy, Mr. Aminu Lawal, said the document was anchored on the
tripartite agenda of government, essentially, the economy, security
and the fight against corruption.
He urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to key into
the strategy to ensure its successful implementation.

He said letters were written to MDAs and security agencies to be
part of the review while the United States and the United Kingdom
were also invited even as documents from UN and ECOWAS were also
included.

Meanwhile, speaking at the end of the year conference with
Commissioners of Police (CPs) in Abuja, the Inspector General of
Police, Mohammed Adamu , said 2,037 firearms and 21,870 ammunition
were recovered in 2019.

“Between January 2019 to date, a total of 6,531 high profile
suspects were arrested in various police operations. This comprises
a total of 2,627 armed robbery suspects, 1,621 suspected cultists,
1,527 kidnapping suspects and 758 murder suspects.

“Within the same period, we also recovered a total of 2,037
firearms of various caliber and descriptions, 21,870 ammunition and
1,662 vehicles while 945 kidnap victims were rescued in various
police-led operations in the country”, he said.

Also yesterday, two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs),
Creative Chambers and Chief Detective, have called for the
promotion of a police officer, Chief Superintendent of Police, Udu
Moses Ogechi, over his leading role in the coordination of the
federal government’s closure of Seme Border.

In letters written to the Minister of Police Affairs, Chairman
Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Inspector-General of
Police, two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Creative
Chambers and Chief Detective recommended Chief Superintendent of
Police (CSP) Udu Moses Ogechi, for promotion to the next rank of
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) following his outstanding
performance in leading the police operation that ensured the full
implementation of federal government’s decision to close the Seme
Border.

The letter signed by Aderonke Akinnwumi, on behalf of Creative
Chambers, said “CSP Ogechi’s leadership role at the Seme Border has
halted the activities of smugglers and earned the nation billions
of naira and therefore urged the three authorities to promote him
for exemplary performance.

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