Illegal small arms major cause of insecurity, banditry, terrorism in Nigeria – NSA Ribadu

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has stated that the spread of illegal small arms and light weapons is a major contributor to insecurity, banditry, terrorism, and communal violence across Nigeria. Ribadu made this point during a workshop in Abuja reviewing lessons from Nigeria's 2016 National Baseline Survey on Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons.

He emphasized that these weapons are sustaining violent crimes in various parts of the country, including banditry in the North-West, farmer-herder conflicts in the North-Central, and terrorism and insurgency in the North-East. Ribadu emphasized that the proliferation of illicit small arms is not just a policy concern, but a direct threat to the safety of people, families, and livelihoods.

To effectively combat this issue, Nigeria needs reliable and up-to-date data rather than relying on estimates. The 2016 survey provided valuable insights into the scale and nature of illegal arms circulation and helped shape government policies, such as the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the creation of a National Action Plan.

However, Ribadu stressed the need to review the previous survey before launching a new one, in order to identify what worked, what did not, and what improvements are required. The National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons' Director-General, DIG Johnson Kokumo, highlighted that Nigeria's security situation has evolved since the 2016 survey, with new forms of crime emerging and trafficking routes changing.

He stressed the importance of updated information to guide security efforts and support disarmament. UNODA Director and Deputy High Representative, Dr Adedeji Ebo, argued that relying on 2016 data alone is insufficient to properly assess current security challenges. He stressed the need for comprehensive and inclusive data collection, involving various sectors of society, to identify the types and numbers of illegal weapons, their trafficking routes, and their impact on communities.

Ebo urged the government to make the new survey thorough and inclusive, ensuring that resources are deployed where they are most needed.