FG Destroys 2,819 Illicit Weapons to Combat Insecurity

On Thursday, the Federal Government of Nigeria destroyed 2,819 illicit and decommissioned small arms and light weapons in Abuja, raising the total number of illegal weapons permanently removed from circulation to approximately 19,000. This destruction exercise was organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, as part of efforts to combat the proliferation of illicit weapons that contribute to terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes.

Johnson Kokumo, the Director-General of NCCSALW, described the event as a significant act of national security, emphasizing that each destroyed weapon can no longer threaten communities or support criminal enterprises. Since its establishment, the NCCSALW has recovered over 21,000 illicit weapons and destroyed more than 16,000 prior to this event.

Kokumo acknowledged the contributions of various security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, which supplied the majority of the weapons destroyed.