INSECURITY: FG DESTROYS 3,867 ILLICIT WEAPONS.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has destroyed 3,867 small and light weapons as part of efforts to reduce the proliferation and misuse of firearms. 

The destruction exercise was carried out by the National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri in Abuja, under the supervision of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Governance and Subnational Liaison, Asishana Okauru.

The Director-General of the Centre, retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, said the destroyed weapons include illicit arms recovered or captured by security agencies, such as those intercepted at Onne Port and Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos by the Nigeria Customs Service. 

Highlighting the importance of small arms destruction in promoting a safer environment and reiterating the government's commitment to transparent documentation and destruction of illicit firearms, Kokumo said the initiative aligns with Article 17 of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the UN Programme of Action to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms. 

Adding that the Centre aims to generate strategies to reduce illicit arms in society, Kokumo appreciated the support of security agencies in releasing recovered weapons for destruction, working towards an illicit arms-free society. 

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