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The National Security Adviser, NSA, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.), has said that the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, SALW, in Nigeria is a huge threat to the country's security.

Monguno made this statement during the destruction of over 3,000 illicit arms that were recovered from across the country.

The proliferation of SALW is a major source of vulnerability in society, according to Monguno. He said that this was something that needs to be addressed by the government to protect its citizens.

"It stood out as a key driver of violent conflict, crime, and terrorism within and beyond Nigeria's borders," he added.

The NSA supervised the destruction of over 3,000 illicit small and light weapons, ammunition, and associated materials in Kaduna yesterday. The destruction was carried out by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) at the Nigerian Army Depot, Rigachikun Kaduna.

The proliferation of weapons in Africa is a direct result of the global community's failure to control the availability of illicit SALW, according to Monguno.

The NSA noted that this failure had continued to undermine global peace and significantly hinder development, especially in sub-Saharan Afric

He described the establishment of the NCCSALW in 2021 by President Muhammadu Buhari as a vital step in addressing the problem of small arms proliferation. And that the institutional platform would structurally address all underlying contributors to the problem, making it a historic move in combating the issue.

Furthermore, the Centre would structurally address all underlying contributors to the national security threat within the framework of the various international protocols and instruments to which Nigeria is committed.

He also reiterated President Buhari's commitment to providing the necessary support to strengthen the Centre's capacity to deal with the multifaceted challenges it is facing.

As the general elections draw near, the NSA has urged Nigerians to remain committed to peace and resist any attempts by those who seek to sow discord and create a sense of insecurity. He urged the public to stand together and protect the country's peace, stability, and democracy so that the government can realize its vision for a safer Nigeria.