Nigeria Destroys 2,819 Illicit Weapons, Total Reaches 19,000

Nigeria illicit weapons Nuhu Ribadu 19,000 destroyed security strategy

On Thursday, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) publicly destroyed 2,819 illicit, decommissioned and unserviceable small arms and light weapons at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment in Giri, Abuja. The exercise brings the cumulative number of weapons destroyed by the centre since its inception in 2021 to about 19,000.

National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme Dr Dennis Otuaro, said illegal firearms are a lifeline for terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups and that every weapon destroyed permanently removes a threat. He credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intelligence‑led security strategy – which emphasizes inter‑agency cooperation, disruption of criminal financing and stronger border controls – for recent gains against insecurity.

Director‑General (retired DIG) Johnson Kokumo highlighted the transparent, irreversible nature of the destruction and noted that the centre has recovered over 21,000 illicit weapons since its establishment, destroying more than 16,000 before the latest exercise. Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello praised the operation, calling it evidence that intelligence‑driven security operations are yielding results and commending both President Tinubu and Ribadu for their leadership. The government also announced a manhunt to trace and destroy any remaining weapons held by traffickers.

Entities

Bola Ahmed Tinubu · Dennis Otuaro · Johnson Kokumo · National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons · Nigeria · Nuhu Ribadu · Yahaya Bello

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 9 SOURCES] The cumulative number of weapons destroyed by the centre since its inception is about 19,000. dailyreport.ng · www.premiumtimesng.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · kogireports.com · nigeriancurrent.com · +4 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello praised the security gains and Ribadu's leadership. kogireports.com · www.thecable.ng · tribuneonlineng.com
[● 9 SOURCES] President Bola Ahmed Tinubu supports the intelligence‑led security strategy. dailyreport.ng · www.premiumtimesng.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · kogireports.com · nigeriancurrent.com · +4 more
[● 9 SOURCES] 2,819 illicit small arms and light weapons were destroyed in Abuja on Thursday. dailyreport.ng · www.premiumtimesng.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · kogireports.com · nigeriancurrent.com · +4 more
[● 9 SOURCES] National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu said illegal arms fuel terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and communal clashes. dailyreport.ng · www.premiumtimesng.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · kogireports.com · nigeriancurrent.com · +4 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The government announced a manhunt to trace and destroy every weapon held by traffickers. dailytrust.com
[● 9 SOURCES] Director‑General Johnson Kokumo said the centre has recovered over 21,000 illicit weapons since its establishment. dailyreport.ng · www.premiumtimesng.com · theglittersonline.com.ng · kogireports.com · nigeriancurrent.com · +4 more