Nigeria's Arms Imports Surge 104% Ahead of 2027 Elections

In the first half of 2026, Nigeria's importation of arms and ammunition increased by 104.31%, totaling N55.06bn compared to N26.95bn in the same period of 2025. This surge in arms imports occurs as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) scheduling the Presidential and National Assembly polls for January 16, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for February 6, 2027.

The Nigeria Customs Service reported intercepting 603 firearms from January to August 2026, which were handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons. Security analysts and civil society groups have linked the availability of arms to the credibility and safety of elections.

A report by the CLEEN Foundation assessed security during the 2026 Osun State governorship election, noting that while security presence was generally adequate, there were instances of officers leaving their posts and using force in some locations.