By Abiodun Lawal
A former Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Abiodun Alamutu, has attributed insecurity in Nigeria to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Alamutu, who is the Zonal Director, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (South-West Zone), said this at a one-day seminar on effective post-judgment management of small arms and light weapons in Abeokuta.
According to him, findings by the centre indicate that a large number of the weapons are in the hands of non-state actors.
“The major enabler of insecurity, banditry and terrorism in the country is the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
“A large chunk of these arms is in the hands of non-state actors, which is why we are shifting focus to mopping up those already in circulation,” he said.
Alamutu noted that while successes had been recorded at border points in intercepting illegal arms, there is a need to intensify efforts within communities.
According to him, collaboration with stakeholders such as traditional rulers, non-governmental organisations and community leaders is key to persuading individuals to voluntarily surrender illicit weapons.
He added that the possibility of recommending amnesty for those who willingly give up such arms could be considered by higher authorities.
On estimates of arms proliferation, Alamutu said available records suggest that over five million small arms and light weapons are in circulation, although no exact figure can be confirmed.
“The estimate is up to five million, but we cannot say categorically.
“From available records, it falls within or above that figure,” he said.
He further stated that Nigeria was a signatory to the ECOWAS and United Nations conventions, which stipulated that recovered illicit arms should be destroyed.
“If there is a need to deviate from this position, it must be done in accordance with the law,” he said.
In a paper presented at the seminar, Dr Kunle Olawunmi of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, suggested that recovered weapons could be reused within the country or sold to other countries rather than being destroyed.
Olawunmi urged the Federal Government to review existing policies on the destruction of seized arms, adding that individuals sponsoring insecurity should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
He also noted that weapons could be traced through their serial numbers to determine their origin and ownership.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, CP Bode Ojajuni, called on the centre to explore additional strategies for mopping up illegal arms.
Ojajuni said many recovered weapons remained unaccounted for, while others were stored in police armouries alongside operational arms.
He stressed the need for improved documentation and management of recovered weapons to enhance accountability and security.
