ECOWAS Warns Against Diversion of Legally Acquired Arms in West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States has called on member states to watch for the diversion of lawfully acquired arms for illicit purposes, saying it poses a grave danger to national security.

Meanwhile, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons said it has destroyed over 17,000 unserviceable, obsolete and decommissioned weapons, as well as over 20,000 rounds of illicit ammunition, since it was established in 2021.

This was disclosed during a five-day In-Security Training on Physical Security, Stockpile Management and Property Management for National Security in Nigeria, organised by the Small Arms Division of ECOWAS in partnership with the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies, held in Port Harcourt on Monday.

In his address, the Acting Head, Small Arms Division, ECOWAS, Mr Abayomi Adeomi, lauded the Federal Government, the NCCSALW and the Rivers State Government for their cooperation and support in hosting the training.

Adeomi said the collaboration between ECOWAS and the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies has helped to translate the regional commitment of the ECOWAS Commission into practical capacity building among member states.

The training, he said, came at a time when the region was facing continued, serious and complex security challenges, adding that attention should not only be given to the illegal importation of arms, but also to diversion.

“While most attention is often paid to weapons trafficked across borders, we must equally remain vigilant about the diversion of weapons from legally authorized stockpiles of Member States. Comprehensive and effective stockpile management is therefore not just a mere technical administrative function.

“The core element of national security conflict prevention, peace building, accountable security sector governance, accurate inventory displays, discipline across control of the national stockpiles held by Member States, routine inspections, safe handling procedures and competent trained personnel, and timely destruction of offspring and surplus weapons together form a vital barrier against diversion, against theft, against loss and against accidental unexpected explosions,” Adeomi said.

In his speech, the Director-General, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Johnson Kokumo, said since the centre’s inception, it has destroyed over 17,000 unserviceable, obsolete and decommissioned weapons, as well as over 20,000 rounds of illicit ammunition.

Represented by the Zonal Director, South-South, Alex Ebimiebo, he said: “Since its inception, the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapon has destroyed over 17,000 illicit, unserviceable, obsolete and decommissioned weapons as well as over 20,000 rounds of illicit ammunitions.”

Ebimiebo stated that the support required for the institutional revolution of the centre reflects Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to tackling the immense proliferation of small arms and light weapons prior to the establishment of the Centre.

According to him, the Federal Government, in 2021, established the centre to provide a more permanent and robust institutional framework, saying, “This responsibility was undertaken principally through the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons known as Prescott, which was inaugurated in 2013 as a multi-agency mechanism to coordinate national efforts against illicit proliferation.

“In furtherance of this mandate, the center has continued to prioritize capacity building for the armed forces in Nigeria, police, law enforcement agents and law enforcement agencies.”

Ebimiebo continued, “Particular attention has been given to weapons and ammunition management, physical security, stockpile management, marking and tracking, record keeping, identification of illnesses, weapons, and the strengthening of institutional procedures designed to prevent loss and diversion.

“The center recognizes that sustainable arms control depends not only on policy but also on trained personnel who can translate standards into effective practice at Armories, ammunition depots and other storage facilities.

“The Centre continues to collaborate with the ECOWAS Commission, Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies and other specialized organizations and Development Partners in areas including capacity development, technical assistance, Arms Marking and Tracing, Weapons Disposal and Implementation of Regional and International Instruments.”

He stressed that such partnerships are indispensable because illicit arms proliferation is ‘Transnational in character and cannot be effectively addressed by any single institution or country acting alone.”

Ebimiebo noted that proper documentation and destruction of decommissioned arms and ammunition reduce the risk of diversion of weapons.

He emphasised that proper documentation and destruction permanently remove such material from circulation, reduce the risk of diversion, and reinforce public confidence in national arms control measures.

“These activities form an important part of the Center’s wider efforts to disrupt the illicit life cycle of weapons and ammunition,” he added.

The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Everest Okoro, who declared the training open, said poor management of stockpiles increases the risk of theft, diversion, unauthorised access and unplanned explosions, with potentially serious consequences.

Okoro, who was represented by the Commander, 6 Division Garrison and Commander, Sector 3, Joint Task Force, South-South Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier-General A.A. Bello, said the training brought together 20 participants drawn from the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police and other security agencies.

Okoro said: “However if carelessly handled, stored or protected, they can become a source of grave danger. Poorly managed stockpiles increase the risk of theft, diversion, unauthorized access, deterioration and unplanned explosion with potentially serious consequences for military personnel, surrounding communities and national security.

“Conversely disciplined stockpile management preserves operational capability, protects lives and material, strengthens accountability and prevents weapons and ammunition from reaching criminals, terrorists and other unauthorized non-state actors.

“Our procedures must remain consistent with recognized and international best practices.”

Our correspondent reports that the training was aimed at building the capacity of security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, the Navy, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Police and paramilitary agencies in Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.