NSA Ribadu Urges Unity, Govt Effort To End Illicit Arms, Defeat Terrorism

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has emphasized that Nigeria can overcome terrorism and insecurity through a unified national effort and stronger government action to curb the proliferation of illicit arms.

Ribadu made the statement on Thursday during the public destruction of illegally acquired, decommissioned, and unserviceable small arms and light weapons (SALW), organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in Abuja.

Represented by the special adviser on governance and subnational liaison, Mr. Asishana Okauru, Ribadu highlighted the threat posed by uncontrolled weapons across the country.

He said the spread of SALW is a major driver of insecurity: “Proliferation of SALW constitutes a huge threat to national security,” noting that the issue fuels violent conflict, crime, and terrorism both within Nigeria and beyond its borders.

Ribadu criticized the global community’s failure to manage the widespread availability of illicit arms, stating it has “continued to undermine global peace and significantly hinder development, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.”

He acknowledged the difficulty of the challenge, stressing the need for collective effort: “We recognise the complexity of the challenges of controlling the proliferation of SALW in Nigeria and the requirement for concerted action amongst the government, international community and all well-meaning civil society organisations.”

“Nonetheless, we are resolved to galvanise our strengths and unity as a nation to confront these monstrous challenges, and I am optimistic that we shall surmount them,” he added.

Ribadu pointed to the establishment of the NCCSALW in 2021 as a landmark move in addressing the issue, creating a dedicated institutional platform to tackle small arms proliferation in line with global protocols.

He also hailed the recent signing of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Act 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as further evidence of Nigeria’s firm stance against the scourge of illicit arms.

He said the arms destruction event serves as a wake-up call: “The destruction exercise is a reminder to all Nigerians of our collective responsibility to support the government and, by extension, the security agencies in the fight to defeat criminality, terrorism, banditry and all other forms of behaviours that threaten our national interest and socio-economic wellbeing.”

“It is a clarion call to reclaim our security space and restore our nation to the path of peace, security and development.”

Ribadu urged citizens to actively participate by reporting suspicious activity: “We, as patriotic citizens, must stand up to be counted at this time by providing information to the security agencies, and we must trust the government to bring the state’s authority to bear in ensuring that all Nigerians, wherever they may reside, enjoy the peace and security that they truly deserve.”

He added that the government is “taking firm steps through relevant ministries and government agencies to tighten domestic controls to prevent and reduce the flow of SALW into illegal hands that are working to undermine our security.”

Commending the NCCSALW for its achievements since its inception, Ribadu expressed confidence in its ability to deliver on its mandate.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the arms destruction event, held at Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment in Giri, marks the fourth such exercise by the center since its creation in 2021.