The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Office of the National Security Adviser, on Thursday, destroyed more than 2,400 illicit small arms and light weapons.

The small arms and light weapons were those retrieved from criminals by the various security agencies in the country.

The centre’s director-general, Johnson Kokumo, shortly before the destruction disclosed that 2,400 small arms and light weapons would be destroyed.

He said the weapons comprised a mix of unserviceable, decommissioned and recovered arms that had been mopped up by security agencies across the country.

He added that by their destruction, the centre would permanently be removing them from circulation and reducing the risk the weapons posed to communities.

He also said that the exercise would send a clear message that Nigeria would not tolerate the illegal trafficking and possession of small arms and light weapons.

According to him, it is also important to state that the centre has in its custody some recovered/captured illicit SALW still undergoing tracing as well as investigations and legal processes.

He stated, “These include the illicit weapons handed over to the centre by the Nigeria Customs Service. These categories of weapons would be destroyed on completion of the proceedings during subsequent routine destruction exercises.

“We will all be witnessing the destruction of  more than 2,400 illicit weapons, comprising a mix of unserviceable, decommissioned and recovered arms.”

Mr Kokumo said the destruction exercise had tangible security implications, adding that the first phase involved burning the weapons to destroy the wooden and plastic parts.

According to him, these actions will ensure that these weapons are permanently eliminated from our society.

“This exercise is in line with the provisions of Article 17 of the ECOWAS Convention on small arms and light weapons as well as the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW.

“These frameworks underscore the importance of transparent documentation and the responsible disposal of recovered arms, ensuring that they do not find their way back into the hands of criminal elements,” he explained.

The exercise was witnessed by NSA Nuhu Ribadu, defence chief Christopher Musa, members of the National Assembly, service chiefs’ representatives, and other security agencies’ heads. 

(NAN)