By 9jaeye 
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has sounded a fresh alarm over the growing threat posed by the unchecked flow of arms from Libya and the Sahel region. According to military officials, these weapons are fueling insurgencies, terrorism, and criminal activities across the country, contributing to the nation’s long-standing insecurity.
The DHQ stated that the collapse of Libya’s government in 2011, following the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi, has turned the country into a major hub for arms trafficking. Weapons smuggled from Libya have found their way into the hands of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, worsening the security challenges in Nigeria. Weak security frameworks in the Sahel region have further enabled smugglers to move arms across borders, creating a fertile ground for insurgency and violent crime.
Porous Borders and Rising Insecurity
The porous borders of Nigeria have made it easier for smugglers to bring in weapons, particularly small arms and light weapons, which are commonly used by non-state actors. Military officials pointed out that the lack of effective border controls has allowed these arms to enter Nigeria and spread rapidly across the country, particularly in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions.
The DHQ emphasized that while the Nigerian military has successfully seized thousands of illegal weapons, including over 5,000 munitions in just four months, the influx of arms remains a pressing concern. The military has carried out operations that led to the arrest of 135 suspects and the recovery of a significant cache of arms, yet the threat continues to grow.
International Cooperation Needed to Tackle the Crisis
Military sources have called for greater international cooperation to curb the flow of weapons into Nigeria. They stressed that local efforts, while significant, will not be sufficient without global collaboration. The situation requires a comprehensive approach that includes stronger border security, better regional coordination, and stricter measures to prevent arms trafficking from conflict zones in Libya and the Sahel.
The DHQ reiterated its commitment to tackling the security threats posed by these illegal arms and emphasized the importance of sustainable solutions, rather than short-term fixes. In the meantime, Nigerian security forces continue to step up efforts to recover illegal arms, dismantle terror networks, and restore peace to affected regions.
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