By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.
Security experts have identified the widespread proliferation of small arms and light weapons as a major driver of insecurity in Nigeria, warning that urgent steps must be taken to curb the trend.
They raised the concern on Thursday at a one-day seminar on Effective Post-Judgment Management of Small Arms and Light Weapons, organised by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Speaking at the event, the South-West Zonal Director of NCCSALW, retired Commissioner of Police Abiodun Alamutu, lamented that a significant number of these illicit weapons are smuggled through Nigeria’s borders and eventually find their way into the hands of non-state actors and criminal elements.
He stressed the need to shift focus from intercepting arms at entry points to actively recovering those already in circulation, noting that previous efforts had largely concentrated on border control with notable success.
Alamutu called for stronger collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to encourage voluntary surrender of illegal weapons and disrupt criminal networks. He revealed that an estimated five million illicit arms are currently in circulation in the South-West, underscoring the urgency of a coordinated mop-up strategy.
Also speaking, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, emphasised the need for improved coordination in managing recovered arms. He noted that many seized weapons remain in police armouries and urged the NCCSALW to establish a more efficient system for their prompt collection and centralisation.
Ojajuni warned that delays in transferring recovered arms could pose security risks, advocating a structured, nationwide framework to ensure proper handling and accountability.
In his presentation, resource person Dr Kunle Olawuni highlighted systemic gaps in the management of seized weapons. He observed that poor documentation, prolonged storage of court exhibits in unsecured armouries, and weak inter-agency handover processes often create opportunities for theft, substitution, or re-circulation of arms into criminal networks.
Olawuni recommended transitioning from fragmented, paper-based systems to a secure digital database that tracks case numbers, exhibit details, court orders, and final disposition. He also called for the adoption of standardised armory practices, regular audits, and strict accountability measures to prevent discrepancies and enhance transparency.
