Nigeria destroys 19,000 illicit weapons, shows commitment to security — Ribadu

By Kingsley Omonobi

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has said the destruction of more than 19,000 illicit, decommissioned and unserviceable small arms and light weapons by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) demonstrates sustained commitment by government to making Nigeria safer.

Ribadu stated this on Thursday in Abuja during the destruction of about 2,809 illicit and unserviceable small arms and light weapons by the NCCSALW.

Represented by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, the NSA said the availability of illegal weapons remained a major factor fuelling insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and other violent crimes.

“From the perspective of the Office of the National Security Adviser, the relationship between illicit arms and the insecurity confronting our country is direct and undeniable,” Ribadu said.