The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has brought attention to the critical issue of arms trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea.
During a recent seminar in Abuja on Tuesday, Ribadu emphasized the Federal Government's interest in investigating this maritime region as a significant route for smuggling small arms and light weapons into Nigeria.
Mr. Ribadu who was represented by the Director of External Affairs, Ibrahim Babani, Office of the National Security Adviser, spoke at a seminar in Abuja.
He said: “Though there have been reports on the proliferation of SALW through the Maritime Sector, the government is interested in further interrogation of the GoG as a major route for arms trafficking."
The NSA emphasised the need for further investigation into the connection between climate change, armed conflict, and the spread of weapons across the Gulf of Guinea countries.
The Gulf of Guinea, a vital economic hub, boasts an estimated 24 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and contributes approximately five million barrels daily to the global crude supply. However, its strategic importance also attracts illicit activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, oil theft, kidnapping, piracy, and smuggling of contraband goods.
Ribadu noted that threats in the maritime sector have evolved from looting and hijacking to kidnapping, highlighting the need for further interrogation of the Gulf of Guinea's role in arms trafficking. He emphasized the connection between climate change, armed conflict, and the spread of weapons across the region.
“According to the same report, this maritime threat has evolved from the looting and hijacking of oil cargos to the kidnapping of seafarers, bringing the root cause of the problem sharply into focus,’’ he added.
He said: “It is the maritime gateway between Africa and the rest of the world. However, the lucrative nature of the GoG in terms of natural resources, movement of ships and related economic activities attracts strange bedfellows and men of the underworld with ulterior motives pursuing nefarious activities in the GoG.
“Organised crime syndicates are involved in various devastating crimes, notably; drug trafficking, human trafficking, oil theft, kidnapping & hostage-taking of ship crews, piracy, and smuggling of contraband goods. In this category lies the smuggling of Small Arms and Light Weapons by international crime syndicates. ”
The Director General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, stressed the importance of addressing climate change's impact on insecurity. He emphasized the need for stronger national and regional frameworks for arms control, environmental resilience, and conflict mitigation.
Furthermore, Kokumo highlighted the Centre's commitment to curbing the menace of SALW. He urged stakeholders to reflect on how climate change exacerbates insecurity and allows the illegal arms trade to thrive.
The Gulf of Guinea's security challenges have far-reaching implications for regional stability and global security. Effective collaboration among governments, international organizations, and stakeholders is crucial to combating arms trafficking and mitigating the region's security threats.
“We must reflect on how the changing climate exacerbates insecurity, weakens governance and allows the illegal arms trade to thrive.
“Furthermore, we need to explore how we can respond to these emerging threats more effectively by fostering stronger national and regional frameworks for arms control, environmental resilience and conflict mitigation.
“I assure you of the Centre’s commitment and resolve to ensure the menace of SALW is curbed,’’ he said.
