The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has called for proper management of forfeited arms, preventing them from becoming a national security challenge.
Ribadu said this at a one-day Workshop on Forfeiture/Handling of Small Arms and Light Weapons by Courts After Judgment for Prosecutors of Firearms Cases and Other Stakeholders on Tuesday in Abuja.
The event with the theme: “Strengthening procedural approaches for the forfeiture and safe disposal of arms and light weapons”, was organised by National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
Ribadu, who was represented by the Director, Law Enforcement and Liaison, AIG Rex Dundun, said once arms were seized and designated as forfeited, the assurance that those weapons were properly managed was a priority.
He said of utmost concern should be to ensure that forfeited arms must be securely managed to prevent them from re-entering illegal circulation and pose national security challenges.
He commended the efforts of NCCSALW towards addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria as well as its commitment to the safety and security of the nation.
According to him, the workshop will help to address an increasingly complex dimension of our national security framework.
“This gathering today serves as both a call to action and an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s security landscape.
“The National Centre’s proactive initiatives in curbing arms proliferation underscore Nigeria’s dedication to reinforcing our internal security architecture.
“This retreat is a timely intervention, addressing not just a procedural aspect of arms management but a strategic element that impacts our ability to control illicit arms flow effectively.
“Forfeited arms represent a significant national security challenge; once they are seized and designated as forfeited, the assurance that these weapons are securely managed and do not re-enter illegal circulation becomes a priority,” he said.
Earlier, the Director-General of NCCSALW, retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, said the retreat would serve as an essential platform to discuss and strategise on the complex, and evolve the legal landscape surrounding the forfeiture and handling of small arms and light weapons by the courts after judgment.
He said forfeited arms post-judgment are typically handed over to the prosecuting agency – either the Nigeria Police Force or DSS depending on who prosecuted the case, leading to potential inconsistencies in the handling process.
“Today, we seek to define the roles and responsibilities of the National Centre alongside all stakeholders in managing and retrieving these arms after court judgments,” he said.
The guest speaker, Simon Lough, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said proliferation of small arms and light weapons had been a serious concern, not only to Nigeria, but the whole of West Africa.
