UN raises alarm over illicit proliferation of small arms in Nigeria

The United Nations has raised alarm over the illicit proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, SALW, in Nigeria, saying that more than 350 million out of the estimated 500 million of such weapons in West Africa is domiciled in the country.

According to the UN, this has highlighted, more than ever before the critical need not only to control the flow of arms in the non-state sector, but also the state owned actors through the effective management of the armoury and weapon stockpiles.

The ongoing conflicts among various armed groups in Libya and Mali are believed to have lead to some of the weapons in Nigeria. The UN said the presence of so many illegal arms in Nigeria threatened its existence and even the surrounding neighbouring countries.

The country, which is still battling Islamist Sect, Boko Haram, has been plagued by recent kidnapping spree by suspected militants, attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta and a rise in Herdsmen/Farmers clashes.