5 Million Illegal Arms Fueling Insecurity in Nigeria

Abiodun Alamutu, the South West Zonal Director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), disclosed that there are about 5 million illegal arms in circulation across Nigeria, which are major enablers of insecurity and banditry. Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of a seminar in Abeokuta, themed "Effect of Post-Judgement Management of Small Arms and Light Weapons," Alamutu highlighted the urgent need for concerted efforts among various stakeholders to tackle this issue.

He noted that while significant successes have been recorded in controlling arms at border points, attention must now shift to managing the illicit arms already circulating within the country. Security expert Dr. Kunle Olawunmi advocated for a maximum six-month trial period for offenders in small arms cases to expedite justice and prevent case loss.

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojaijuni, called for a structured system across states to ensure timely collection and transfer of seized arms to recovery centers.