Bianca Ojukwu Calls for Global Cooperation to Combat Illicit Arms Trafficking
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has described the illicit trafficking and proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) as major threats to national security, regional stability and sustainable development, calling for stronger international cooperation to tackle the menace.
The Minister made this known during a meeting with the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Rtd.) Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, mni, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu acknowledged the strategic importance of the Centre in coordinating national efforts to prevent and control the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons. She also commended its initiative to engage the Ministry formally to strengthen institutional collaboration.
She identified terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence as security challenges aggravated by the circulation of illicit weapons, stressing the need for comprehensive measures to curb their spread.
The Minister highlighted the importance of tackling cross-border arms trafficking, local artisanal weapons production, and the theft or diversion of firearms from government stockpiles.
According to her, addressing these challenges is essential to protecting lives, restoring livelihoods and creating a secure environment conducive to investment and sustainable development.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to relevant international instruments on arms control, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for closer cooperation with international partners to strengthen efforts against the illicit trade and proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
She also advocated increased public sensitisation and community engagement, urging the involvement of traditional institutions, community leaders and women’s groups in promoting peace and security.
While recognising the contributions of women to peacebuilding initiatives, the Minister emphasised the need to prevent young people from being recruited into criminal networks and to strengthen support for deradicalisation programmes.
Both the Minister and the NCCSALW Director-General underscored the importance of enhanced institutional cooperation, improved technical responses and coordinated diplomatic engagement in addressing illicit arms trafficking and proliferation.
The meeting reaffirmed the need for a coordinated national and international approach to tackling the circulation of illegal weapons and strengthening security across Nigeria and the wider region.
Bianca Ojukwu Calls for Global Cooperation to Combat Illicit Arms Trafficking