Police chief says intelligence reveals weapons are being transported from conflict zones in Northern Nigeria through road and waterways as authorities intensify efforts to curb illicit arms proliferation.
By A1NEWS International
ABUJA, Nigeria – July 17, 2026
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has sounded a fresh warning over the growing movement of illegal firearms from conflict-affected states in Northern Nigeria to the South-West, describing the trend as a major national security concern that requires urgent inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-driven responses.
The police chief disclosed that security intelligence indicates that arms are being transported through road networks, waterways and other clandestine routes, enabling criminal groups to expand their operations across the country.
Disu made the disclosure on Thursday while receiving the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
His remarks come amid persistent security challenges including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and armed robbery, all of which have been linked to the proliferation of illicit firearms.
Weapons Moving from Conflict Zones to the South-West
Speaking during the meeting, the IGP revealed that intelligence reports show weapons are being transported from insurgency and banditry hotspots, particularly Maiduguri in Borno State and Zamfara State, to other regions, especially the South-West.
According to him, traffickers have developed multiple transportation channels to evade detection.
“Arms are moving everywhere in the country, using the roads, the waters and even other routes. Arms are moving from the battle areas, Maiduguri, Zamfara, down to the West. Most of the time they come by road and by water as well, so timely intelligence will help us solve this,” Disu said.
Security experts have long warned that the circulation of illicit weapons contributes significantly to violent crimes and instability across Nigeria.
IGP Calls for Real-Time Intelligence Sharing
Disu stressed that effective intelligence sharing among security agencies remains the most critical tool for intercepting illegal weapons before they reach criminal networks.
He urged security institutions to adopt faster and more coordinated information-sharing mechanisms.
“Intelligence shared is invaluable. Everywhere in the world, intelligence sharing is going to real-time intelligence sharing so that we can quickly nip it in the bud,” he stated.
Analysts say improved intelligence coordination between the police, military, customs, immigration, DSS and other security agencies could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s response to arms trafficking.
Porous Borders Fuel Arms Smuggling
The Inspector-General attributed the widespread proliferation of illegal firearms partly to Nigeria’s porous land borders.
According to him, arms traffickers continue to exploit poorly monitored border crossings to smuggle sophisticated weapons into the country.
“Our borders are so porous, and these people have made up their minds to traffic arms. They will do anything possible to ensure the arms come into the country and get into the hands of those who want to use them to commit crimes,” he warned.
Nigeria shares extensive land borders with Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, presenting longstanding security and border management challenges.
Security experts have repeatedly called for enhanced border surveillance, improved technology and stronger regional cooperation to combat transnational arms trafficking.
Locally Manufactured Weapons Becoming More Sophisticated
The police chief also expressed concern over the increasing sophistication of locally fabricated firearms.
According to Disu, some weapons recovered by investigators are now almost indistinguishable from imported military-grade rifles.
“As police officers, we are recovering arms that we are even finding it difficult to identify because they look almost like imported arms. People are now producing weapons that look just like AK-47 rifles, complete with serial numbers,” he said.
The development, he noted, complicates law enforcement efforts and underscores the need to dismantle illegal arms manufacturing workshops operating across the country.
Concern Over Diversion of Police Weapons
Beyond external trafficking, the IGP acknowledged concerns over the possible diversion of firearms from official armouries.
He directed attention to the need for tighter oversight of police armouries and regular audits to prevent unauthorized access to weapons.
“We need to go back and look at our armouries, who is manning them and carry out periodic checks. Once in a while, officers of various agencies have been involved in the sale of illegal arms,” Disu said.
His remarks reflect growing concerns about internal accountability within security institutions and the need to strengthen controls over government-owned firearms.
Police Intensify Recovery of Illegal Weapons Ahead of 2027 Elections
The Inspector-General disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force has intensified operations aimed at recovering illicit weapons ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to expanding civil disarmament initiatives that encourage individuals to voluntarily surrender illegally possessed firearms.
Security analysts have warned that reducing the number of illegal weapons in circulation will be critical to preventing election-related violence and organized criminal activities.
National Centre Destroys Over 16,000 Weapons
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Babatunde Johnson, highlighted the Centre’s progress in removing illegal weapons from circulation.
According to Johnson, the agency has destroyed more than 16,000 obsolete, decommissioned and unserviceable firearms since its establishment.
He disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force alone supplied 11,907 firearms to the Centre, including:
- 8,438 automatic weapons; and
- 3,489 locally fabricated firearms.
Johnson described the destruction exercise as part of broader efforts to reduce the risk of stolen or obsolete weapons re-entering illegal circulation.
Security Experts Emphasize Multi-Agency Response
Experts say tackling Nigeria’s illicit arms problem will require sustained collaboration among security agencies, stronger border management, judicial reforms and improved intelligence gathering.
They also advocate enhanced community policing, public awareness campaigns and stricter regulation of firearms manufacturing and distribution to reduce the availability of illegal weapons.
The warning by Inspector-General Olatunji Disu underscores the growing concern over the proliferation of illegal firearms and their potential impact on national security.
With intelligence indicating that weapons continue to move from conflict zones in Northern Nigeria to other parts of the country, particularly the South-West, authorities face increasing pressure to strengthen border controls, improve intelligence sharing and dismantle illegal arms networks.
As preparations gradually begin for the 2027 general elections, security agencies are expected to intensify efforts to recover illicit weapons and prevent them from fueling further violence across Nigeria.
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