FG Probes Gulf Of Guinea As Key Route For Arms Trafficking

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has announced that the Federal Government is currently investigating the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) as a significant corridor for arms trafficking into the country.

This statement was made during a two-day seminar on “Climate Change and the Changing Dynamics of Arms Proliferation and Insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea: Nigeria in Perspective,” held in Abuja, on Tuesday.

The seminar was organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in collaboration with the Global Network for Human Development.

Ribadu’s address was delivered by Ibrahim Babani, the Director of External Affairs at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Ribadu highlighted the Gulf of Guinea’s rich natural resources, including an estimated 24 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, contributing approximately five million barrels daily to the global market.

He noted that the region consists of 16 countries, including Nigeria, along its extensive 6,000-kilometre coastline, serving as a crucial maritime gateway between Africa and the global community.

However, he pointed out that the area’s wealth and economic activities attract criminal elements who engage in various illicit activities.

“Organised crime syndicates are involved in various devastating crimes, notably; drug trafficking, human trafficking, oil theft, kidnaping & hostage taking of ship crews, piracy, smuggling of contraband goods.

“In this category lies the smuggling of Small Arms and Light Weapons by international crime syndicates.

“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.

While acknowledging previous reports on SALW proliferation via the maritime sector, Ribadu emphasized the need for a deeper investigation into the Gulf of Guinea as a prominent arms trafficking route.

He stressed the importance of understanding the connections between climate change, armed violence, and arms proliferation in the region.

The NSA stated that SALWs have long been recognized as both a fundamental cause and facilitator of global insecurity, particularly as they fall into the hands of non-state actors and organized crime groups. This situation leaves nations struggling to devise effective countermeasures.

Ribadu pointed out that in 2023, all 14 reported kidnappings of maritime crew members occurred in the Gulf of Guinea, with 75% of those held hostage.

Furthermore, two crew members were injured, reinforcing the GoG’s reputation as perilous waters for seafarers.

“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.