In the run-up to the 2019 general elections, the government is reviewing the gun possession of its citizens.
On Tuesday, January 24, 2018, the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau stated that there are at least 350 million illegal weapons currently in Nigeria.
He also said, during a meeting in Abuja on the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria, that this situation may have a negative impact on the approaching 2019 general elections.
He also expressed that, "From records by the United Nations Centre for Peace and Disarmament, I understand that there are approximately 500 million assorted firearms in West Africa. And out of these 500 million, 70%, approximating 350 million of them are in Nigeria. And, of course, we know for a fact, that quite a large consignment of weapons are being smuggled, or have been smuggled from North Africa, in particular, Libya, as a consequence of the crisis in that country.”
"And, in addition to that, the insurgency in the North East, adds more of the problem. Because of the supplies of weapons to the insurgents and terrorists there. Likewise, we have similar problems in the Niger Delta, where militants are supplied weapons, not only by trade-by-barter with stolen oil but also politicians supply weapons, in order to carry out actions against opponents.”
Read Also: Nigeria in the process of acquiring three JF-17 fighters
"These are the issues that we hope to deal with, particularly that 2019 elections are coming up. And, quite a lot of movements of these weapons; people take advantage of that. So, it is very necessary for us to secure our country," Dambazau said.
Dambazau blamed Nigeria's porous borders for the proliferation of the illegal weapons. He declared that the Federal Government was determined to end the trend before the 2019 elections.
"Following the meeting we had with Governors two weeks back over the violent conflicts that took place in Benue and other places, between herders and farmers, one of the issues that came up in the communique, was the issue of the proliferation of small arms, and also the issue of drug trafficking and abuse.”
"And, we also found that these two issues are triggers to the violence taking place in this country. Without the firearms, without the drugs being processed, the courage of those who partake in violence, we would not have the kind of violence with magnitude we have today. So, there is need to take very urgent action, in order to ensure that this situation is dealt with accordingly.”
Dambazau challenged the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies to ensure that the nation's borders are well manned.
Politics: 350 million illegal weapons in Nigeria says government
CLICK HERE TO READ FULL CONTENT
Brought to you by: RIDBAY | WEBSITE DESIGN & DIGITAL MARKETING
