The Federal Government’s decision to declare a state of emergency at the Onne Port in Rivers State following repeated incidents of dangerous cargo, especially arms, and ammunition being imported through the port is a notable development. However, comprehensive protocols should be extended to all ports to address the growing scale of illegal arms imports.
The alarming influx of illegal arms through Nigeria’s ports has become a pressing national security challenge. These weapons fuel the violence, criminal activities, and insurgencies destabilising the country. From militancy in the Niger Delta to insurgency in the North-East and banditry across the North-West, the proliferation of illegal arms exacerbates Nigeria’s security woes.
Given the critical role of ports as entry points for illicit weapons, the government and its agencies must take decisive action to check the illegal arms importation through these gateways.
Nigeria is drenched in weapons. The UNODC says 70 per cent of the 500 million small and light weapons in West Africa are in Nigeria.
In 2024, Nigeria saw an alarming rise in the interception of illegal arms imports, with multiple high-profile seizures at its ports. The year began with a January seizure of arms and narcotics at the Lagos port. In March, pump-action guns and pistols were confiscated at the Tin Can Island Port.
A major operation in July led to the interception of arms worth N18.23 billion at Onne Port in Rivers State, with the discovery of 848 rifles and over 112,000 rounds of ammunition concealed within a container from Turkey. Just days later, another cache of military gear and firearms was seized at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. On July 19, customs agents intercepted bulletproof vests worth N1.68 billion.
On Monday, the Federal Government reportedly commenced the trial of 10 suspects for importing arms and ammunition worth N4 billion in June.
These frequent seizures highlight Nigeria’s challenges with arms importation through land and sea borders, as criminal networks use increasingly sophisticated methods to evade detection.
Nigeria’s vast coastline has made the country susceptible to arms smuggling. The porous nature of Nigeria’s borders, coupled with inadequate monitoring of its ports, has allowed criminal networks to exploit weak oversight mechanisms to funnel illicit weapons into the country.
Arms in the wrong hands have stoked ethnic and religious conflict, escalated herders’ attacks on farmers, and sustained insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.
The increase in armed robbery, kidnapping, and violent crimes has paralysed many regions, significantly impacting economic activities and investments. Without concerted efforts to stem this flow, Nigeria’s security apparatus will continue to be overwhelmed, and peace will remain elusive.
The challenges to checking the illegal arms trade are multifaceted. At the core are inefficiency and corruption. Inadequate technology and poor infrastructure compound the problem, as the ports lack sophisticated scanning systems to detect concealed weapons in cargo.
The lack of inter-agency coordination limits effective monitoring, with the NCS, police, and naval forces often operating in silos.
Nigeria must prioritise a comprehensive overhaul of its port security infrastructure. Investment in cutting-edge scanning and surveillance technologies is non-negotiable. The ports should be equipped with state-of-the-art detection systems, such as X-ray scanners, drones, and automated systems that can detect weapons and contraband without human interface.
Finally, international cooperation is critical. Arms smuggling is a transnational crime that requires Nigeria to collaborate with neighbouring countries, regional bodies, and international partners. Strengthening intelligence-sharing frameworks with these partners would help trace the sources of these illegal arms and dismantle smuggling networks.
The unchecked importation of illegal arms through Nigeria’s ports represents a clear and present danger to national security and development. The government must recognise this as a top priority and take decisive steps to secure the ports.
