FG plans new survey on illicit arms

The Federal Government is set to commence a new National Baseline Survey on illicit small arms and light weapons, marking a decade since the country's previous survey in 2016. This initiative was unveiled at a workshop in Abuja, aimed at reviewing lessons learned from the 2016 exercise. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who spoke at the event, emphasized that the spread of illicit weapons is directly linked to insecurity, banditry, farmer-herder clashes, criminal gang activities, and terrorist groups across Nigeria.

He stressed that evidence-based policy is crucial, stating that the government cannot effectively combat this issue without solid data. Ribadu highlighted that a reliable national baseline survey is essential for national security planning, as it enhances the ability to track weapon flows and target disarmament efforts more effectively.

Solomon Fehintola, representing Ribadu, echoed these sentiments, stressing that the government's response must be evidence-driven. Adedeji Ebo, the Director/Deputy High Representative of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, noted that the 2016 data is outdated and insufficient for assessing current security threats.

He argued that the survey must incorporate knowledge from various sources, including community actors whose insights are often overlooked in official records. The Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Johnson Kokumo, emphasized that Nigeria's security landscape has changed significantly since the 2016 survey, with new forms of criminality and evolving trafficking routes. He stressed the need for a comprehensive reassessment of the illicit weapons landscape.