IGP Olatunji Disu Warns of Rising Illegal Arms Trafficking From Northern Nigeria to the South-West

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has raised concerns over the increasing movement of illegal firearms from conflict-affected areas in Northern Nigeria to the South-West, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to national security.

Speaking during a meeting with the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the police chief disclosed that intelligence reports indicate that weapons are being transported from conflict zones such as Maiduguri and Zamfara to other parts of the country through both road and water routes.

According to Disu, the growing circulation of illicit arms has become a major security challenge, with traffickers exploiting multiple transportation channels to move weapons across the country. He stressed that timely intelligence gathering and collaboration among security agencies are critical to intercepting these arms before they reach criminal groups.

The Inspector-General emphasized that modern policing increasingly depends on real-time intelligence sharing, noting that prompt exchange of information among security agencies would significantly improve efforts to prevent illegal weapons from being distributed across the country.

Disu also blamed Nigeria’s porous borders for the continued influx of illegal firearms, stating that arms traffickers have consistently taken advantage of poorly monitored border routes to smuggle weapons into the country. He warned that criminal networks remain determined to ensure that these arms find their way into the hands of individuals involved in violent crimes and other forms of insecurity.

Another major concern raised by the police chief is the growing sophistication of locally manufactured firearms. According to him, security operatives are now recovering locally produced weapons that closely resemble imported assault rifles, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between locally fabricated and factory-made firearms.

He revealed that some locally manufactured weapons are designed to imitate AK-47 rifles, complete with serial numbers, highlighting the alarming advancement in illegal arms production within the country.

To address the challenge, Disu called for stronger action against illegal arms manufacturers and black-market dealers, describing them as major contributors to the proliferation of weapons fueling insecurity across Nigeria.

The Inspector-General also urged stricter oversight of police armouries, warning that some security personnel have previously been implicated in the illegal diversion and sale of firearms. He called for regular inspections and improved accountability to ensure that weapons under the custody of security agencies do not end up in unauthorized hands.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, Disu disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force has intensified efforts to recover illegal firearms nationwide. He added that the force will continue its civil disarmament initiatives aimed at encouraging individuals in possession of illicit weapons to voluntarily surrender them.

Earlier during the meeting, the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Babatunde Johnson, revealed that the centre has destroyed more than 16,000 obsolete, unserviceable and decommissioned firearms since its establishment.

Johnson further disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force has handed over 11,907 illicit, obsolete and unserviceable weapons to the centre for destruction. According to him, the recovered cache includes 8,438 automatic firearms and 3,489 locally fabricated weapons, underscoring the scale of illegal arms proliferation across the country.

The latest warning from the Inspector-General highlights the growing security concerns surrounding the movement of illegal weapons within Nigeria and reinforces the need for stronger border security, enhanced intelligence sharing and coordinated law enforcement efforts to combat arms trafficking and improve public safety nationwide.