Nigerian Air Force Moves to Retrieve Service Weapons From Retired Personnel

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced plans to properly account for and retrieve service weapons from retired personnel, in line with the provisions of Nigeria’s Firearms Act. The move, according to the service, is aimed at strengthening compliance with national firearms regulations while addressing the personal security concerns of senior veterans.

The disclosure was made during a parley between the Chief of the Air Staff and Nigerian Air Force veterans held in Abuja on Saturday. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, was represented at the event by the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Anthony Martins, who outlined the Air Force’s approach to balancing security, welfare, and legal compliance.

Speaking at the engagement, Martins said the Air Force remains sensitive to the unique security challenges faced by retired senior officers but must also ensure strict adherence to existing laws governing firearm possession. He explained that ongoing efforts are focused on properly accounting for service weapons and retrieving them where necessary, in accordance with the Firearms Act.

At the same time, the Air Force is exploring options to create a regulated armoury system. Under the proposed framework, eligible retired personnel could be permitted to lawfully possess approved calibres, subject to strict regulation and oversight. The initiative, he said, is intended to provide a lawful and structured solution to veterans’ security needs without undermining national safety regulations.

The Air Force leadership reassured veterans that the process would be handled with respect and sensitivity, acknowledging their years of service and sacrifice. Martins emphasized that veteran engagement remains a priority for the current NAF leadership, noting that managing veteran affairs requires significant resources and thoughtful planning.

He also highlighted that the Nigerian Air Force has taken a leading role among the armed services in institutionalising veteran engagement, regularly convening structured forums to listen to concerns and share updates. According to him, the service continues to draw lessons from international best practices, including veteran support models used in countries such as Australia.

The parley also served as an opportunity for the Air Force to brief veterans on other ongoing initiatives, including welfare reforms and youth empowerment programmes. Veterans, in turn, provided feedback on issues affecting retired personnel, contributing to broader reforms aimed at improving veteran administration while reinforcing compliance with national security laws.

Overall, the discussions reflected the Nigerian Air Force’s effort to modernise its approach to veteran management, ensuring that welfare considerations and legal responsibilities are addressed side by side.