In separate operations across various theatres of operation in Nigeria, troops have successfully recovered a total of 66,692 arms and ammunition from non-state actors. These recoveries, made between January and April 2024, include 3,117 dangerous arms and 63,575 rounds of ammunition. The arms were seized from various groups such as terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and combatants of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Among the arms recovered are 1,619 AK-47 rifles, 24 Automatic Pump Action guns, and 47 locally fabricated guns. Additionally, troops seized 36,007 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 12,698 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and 948 assorted arms with 5,520 assorted ammunition. The recovered items also include 47 Dane guns, 24 automatic pump-action guns, eight locally fabricated pistols, two locally made single-barrel guns, one double-barrel gun, one hand grenade, and one IED.
The proliferation of arms and ammunition in Nigeria has contributed to the increasing crime rates in the country. To address this challenge, experts have recommended a comprehensive mop-up of weapons in circulation, enhanced security at porous borders, and stricter regulations on firearms. According to a 2023 report by SBM Intelligence, an estimated 6.1 million small arms are in the possession of non-state actors in Nigeria, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to curb the spread of illegal weapons.
