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The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday, said the Federal Government has picked interest in the interrogation of the Gulf of Guinea as a major route for arms trafficking into Nigeria.
He noted that several reports had revealed that small and light weapons are smuggled through the maritime sector.
Ribadu who was represented by the Director of External Affairs, Office of the National Security Adviser, Ibrahim Babani, spoke at a seminar in Abuja.
“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,’’ he said.
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.
Ribadu, also stated that threats in the maritime sector had evolved from looting to kidnapping.
“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.
Highlighting the positives of the Gulf of Guinea, the NSA noted that the region holds an estimated 24 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, contributing approximately five million barrels daily to the global crude supply.
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 NCCSALW retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, said that the impact of climate change had become a significant contributor to displacement and instability in various regions, particularly the Gulf of Guinea.
Kokumo said it was also a significant driver of instability and conflict in vulnerable regions across the world with criminal networks exploiting the situation.
According to him, this instability has in turn fueled the demand for arms, contributing to the rise in the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
“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.
