The Federal Government on Thursday destroyed 2,819 illicit and decommissioned small arms and light weapons in Abuja, bringing the total number of illegal weapons permanently removed from circulation to about 19,000.

The destruction exercise, carried out by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), took place at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, as part of ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms fueling insecurity across Nigeria.

Director-General of the NCCSALW, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police,  Johnson Kokumo, described the exercise as a deliberate and irreversible step toward strengthening national security.

According to him, the destroyed weapons, either illegally acquired or rendered unserviceable, can no longer pose a threat to society.

“Every weapon destroyed today is one that will never again be used to terrorise communities, disrupt livelihoods, or empower criminal and terrorist activities,” Kokumo stated.

He disclosed that the Centre has recovered over 21,000 illicit and obsolete weapons since its establishment, with more than 16,000 destroyed prior to the latest exercise. The new batch raises the total to approximately 19,000.

Kokumo emphasized that the proliferation of small arms remains a major driver of insecurity, linking it to banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, communal clashes and farmer-herder conflicts.

He commended the Nigeria Police Force for contributing the largest share of recovered weapons, 11,907 firearms and locally fabricated arms, while also acknowledging the efforts of the Armed Forces, Department of State Services, Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.

Issuing a stern warning, he said: “To those involved in arms trafficking, every illegal weapon in circulation will eventually be traced and destroyed.”

Representing the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, described the exercise as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.

He noted that illegal arms remain the backbone of terrorism, insurgency, and violent crimes, stressing that their destruction is critical to national peace and stability.

“Recovering weapons is not enough. Without proper accountability, such arms could find their way back into circulation. Transparent destruction ensures they are permanently removed,” he said.

Ribadu also called on Nigerians to support security efforts by reporting illegal arms activities and urged community leaders to promote peace and voluntary disarmament.

The NCCSALW, established under the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act, 2024, continues to coordinate national efforts aimed at eliminating the illegal flow of weapons and enhancing public safety.