Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Rilwan Disu has declared that Nigeria is stepping up efforts to stop the spread of illegal arms ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying stronger weapons control is critical to preventing electoral violence and protecting democracy.
The police chief made the declaration on Monday while opening the five-day Small Arms and Light Weapons Identification and Tracing (SALW-IT) Simulation Programme in Abuja, attended by security personnel from 12 African countries.
Disu said the growing circulation of illegal weapons across Africa continues to fuel terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and organised crime, making regional cooperation more important than ever.
He explained that the training would equip participants with practical skills to identify, mark, register and trace small arms, light weapons and ammunition, helping security agencies dismantle arms trafficking networks and identify those financing the illegal trade.
According to him, preventing the flow of illicit weapons will help reduce election-related violence, protect voters, electoral officials and security personnel, and create the environment needed for peaceful, free and credible elections.
The IGP said officers who participate in the programme would train other personnel across police commands and formations, strengthening intelligence gathering, weapons recovery and election security operations nationwide.
He also called for stronger cooperation among African countries through intelligence sharing, joint investigations and mutual legal assistance to ensure criminals involved in transborder crimes are tracked down and brought to justice.
Disu disclosed that Inspectors-General of Police from West and East African countries would soon meet to develop coordinated strategies for tackling cross-border crime and other emerging security threats.
Participants at the training are drawn from Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Mali, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Niger, Libya, Benin and the Republic of the Congo.
The programme features technical training and practical simulation exercises at the Nigeria Police Simulation Centre aimed at improving arms identification and tracing capabilities.
The IGP commended the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC), INTERPOL, relevant African Union agencies and experts from the German Armed Forces Verification Centre for supporting the initiative.
He urged participants to exchange operational experiences, build lasting professional partnerships and apply the knowledge gained to improve public safety in their respective countries.
Disu reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to regional arms control initiatives and pledged sustained collaboration with African and international partners to strengthen security and safeguard future elections.