The federal Government of Nigeria has lamented that at least, 350 million illegal weapons are currently in the country.
Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau who stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting on proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria, said this situation may impact on the 2019 general elections negatively.
While expressing dissatisfaction with proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country, he stressed that 70 percent of the 500 million of such weapons in West Africa found their ways to Nigeria.
"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 per cent, 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 (with stolen oil), but also politicians supply weapons, in order to carry out actions against opponents.
"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.
"And, as a follow-up, I invited this meeting of experts so that we will be able to deal with the situation, examine and analyse it, and see how best we can approach it.
Dambazau challenged the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies to ensure that the nation's borders are well manned.
"Our borders are porous. With about 5,000 kilometres porous, there is need for us to look at these issues, because we must secure our country, we must secure our future.
"But, with these weapons and drugs smuggled into this country, if we don't do something now, I am afraid things will be worse than it is now.
"The herders/farmers' conflict, ethno/religious crisis, violent crimes of armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, militancy, terrorism; all that have something to with weapons and drugs. So, we must deal with this issue."

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/350-million-illegal-weapons-in-nigeria-fg-laments.html

See business opportunity!

Imagine importing weapons from war-torn Syria and Libya. And since the war will be in the sophisticated south west and north then more money since both areas have the richest humans in the world.

See figure 350 milli... Naija don crash....nothing is just working.

check aso rock and it cabals well

Arrant nonsense!!! This crap is coming form dumbass retired soldier who has been at the center of a plot to stealthily and strategically corner Nigeria for the Fulani Jihadists. You have not seen anything yet. Nigeria shall be overrun by guns illegally or not.

Nigeria is in the hands of God, no amount of evil agenda can take it down. 2015 has come and gone, so shall 2019. May Almighty God bless Nigeria with righteous leaders in the coming elections across party lines who have the interest of the masses and the nation at heart.

We have very useless, senseless and absolutely shameless morons as leaders... So what does he want Nigerians to do with dis information? Start looking for d weapons??

Guess the ones in fulani possession are not excluded So are Nigerians the one to blame? Clueless government.

Brought in by who?
For Who?
To Who?

It's a pity A whole General involved in the government is the one spitting this

PDP and criminality are like 5 and 6

I hope the govt is not planning to cancel Back2DAUrA elections in 2019 over this sudden statistics of guns

How many years will this same statistics be used.

Google 'proliferation of small arms and light weapon in Africa or West' and you will discover that almost all used this same statistics no matter when written.

When will Nigeria secure her border and get her own data. We dont know who and who is a Nigerian and we dont know the number of illegal weapons in curculation.

Wait.. you guys know we have such assumed illegal weapons in circulation and yet allow 40 foot load if weapons disappear from the warf yesterday or so.. so pathetic.