IGP Unveils Nationwide Fight Against Illegal Arms

The Nigeria Police Force has begun a nationwide intelligence campaign to tackle the spread of illegal firearms and improve security ahead of future elections.

Inspector-General of Police IGP Olatunji Disu announced the new operation on Thursday during a meeting with the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Johnson Kokumo, and his management team at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The IGP said the police would expand cooperation with relevant agencies to block the movement of illegal weapons into Nigeria. He described intelligence gathering as the strongest tool against arms trafficking, adding that effective information sharing among security organisations would help stop firearms from reaching criminal networks.

As part of the strategy, Disu proposed a joint nationwide awareness campaign with the NCCSALW. The campaign will encourage people with illegal weapons to surrender them voluntarily.

He warned that porous borders, waterways and illegal manufacturing activities continue to support the spread of illicit arms. According to him, these weapons threaten national security and could affect the country’s electoral process.

Disu also called for improved armoury management, regular government weapon inspections and stronger accountability measures to prevent official firearms from reaching criminal groups.

Earlier, Kokumo stressed the need for closer partnerships between security agencies, government institutions, development organisations and communities. He said controlling small arms proliferation requires a united national effort.

He identified theft, stealing and firearm diversion as major causes of illegal arms circulation. Kokumo also requested stronger police support to recover and destroy weapons already in circulation.

How can stronger community involvement help Nigeria combat illegal firearms?