The Federal Government of Nigeria said destroying small arms and light weapons is the surest way to achieve sustainable peace in the face of the current security challenges in the country.
National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.) stated this during the destruction of over 3,000 assorted small arms recovered across the country, which was carried out by the National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, headed by Major General Abba Dikko (retd.).
The exercise, which held at the Nigerian Army Command Engineering Depot, Rigachukun, Kaduna, on Thursday, was supervised by the NSA, who was represented by the Director of Policy and Strategy, Aminu Lawal.
Monguno said proliferation of small arms and light weapons remained a huge threat to the security of the country.
This, the NSA argued, had become a major source of vulnerability in society and stood out as a key driver of violent conflicts, crimes, and terrorism within and beyond the nation’s borders.
According to Monguno, the failure of the global community to control the availability of illicit small arms and light weapons has continued to undermine global peace and significantly hinder development, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
Meanwhile, the weapons destroyed are assault rifles, pistols, shotguns, and machine guns, among others.
