NSA Nuhu Ribadu Reveals Illicit Weapons Used by Terrorists in Nigeria Originated from Federal Government

 

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed that many of the illegal weapons currently used by terrorists and bandits in Nigeria were originally owned by the Federal Government. Ribadu made this revelation on Thursday, October 17, 2024, during the Arms Destruction Exercise organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in Abuja.

According to Ribadu, these weapons fell into the wrong hands due to corrupt individuals within the country's security forces. He condemned the actions of certain security personnel involved in the sale or distribution of arms to criminal elements, stating that such actions endanger their fellow officers and destabilize the nation.

“The worst kind of person is a policeman or soldier who takes arms from his own formation and sells them to bad actors, allowing them to harm their colleagues,” Ribadu said. He emphasized the need to combat both internal and external contributors to the proliferation of illegal arms.

Ribadu acknowledged that the presence of illicit small arms and light weapons poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s national security, fueling insurgency, banditry, and violent crimes. However, he expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to address these challenges, urging for decisive action to restore peace and stability in the country.