Illicit Arms: Ribadu backs fresh national survey, says 2016 data outdated

By Kingsley Omonobi

ABUJA — National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has backed plans for a new National Baseline Survey on illicit small arms and light weapons, saying Nigeria must replace outdated data and address methodological and coordination gaps identified from the 2016 exercise.

Ribadu said the proposed survey was necessary to provide credible evidence on the scale, distribution and movement of illicit weapons across the country and strengthen government’s response to the security challenges associated with their proliferation.

He spoke through the Director of External Affairs in the Office of the NSA, Mr Solomon Feyintola, at a workshop on Lessons Learnt from Nigeria’s 2016 National Baseline Survey on Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons.

The workshop was organised to review the outcome and shortcomings of the 2016 survey ahead of a new national exercise.