By Peter Omopo
Ibadan, July 25, 2025 — The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has revealed that Nigeria harbours an alarming 40 per cent of the over 500 million illegal small arms and light weapons currently circulating in West Africa, warning that the influx is worsening the nation’s security crisis.
Speaking in Ibadan on Thursday during the second Distinguished Personality Lecture organised by the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Security Management (TECESM) at the University of Ibadan, General Musa attributed the surge in illicit weapons to smuggling from conflict zones across the Sahel and North Africa.
“These weapons, smuggled from war-ravaged zones, have become the fuel for terrorism, banditry, and communal violence, especially in northern Nigeria,” the CDS stated during his lecture titled “Global Fragility and Security Management in Nigeria.”
He warned that Nigeria’s internal security is increasingly vulnerable to global instability, noting that “fragile states are no longer isolated challenges—they now pose a direct threat to regional and global peace, and Nigeria is not immune.”
Musa identified porous borders, weak governance structures in remote regions, and the global arms trade as key factors driving insecurity in the country. “Nigeria’s vulnerabilities are shaped not only from within but also by the broader global fragility matrix,” he said, calling for urgent reforms and innovation in national defence strategy.
The defence chief also highlighted emerging digital threats, including the use of social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp for spreading ethnic hatred, disinformation, and radicalisation.
“Security today isn’t just about boots on the ground. It’s about building resilient institutions, promoting unity, and empowering communities. Guns alone cannot win this battle,” Musa said.
To address the growing crisis, the CDS proposed a comprehensive policy framework that includes:
- A multi-agency approach to security as outlined in Nigeria’s National Defence Policy
- Enhanced border surveillance using advanced technology and trained personnel
- Stronger collaboration with neighbouring countries and global partners to halt the arms trade
- Strategic investments in youth development, education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship
- Promotion of civic dialogue and national unity to counter extremism
Retired Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, who represented the event’s chairman and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, echoed Musa’s views. He emphasised the need for governance reforms, capacity building, and community-based intelligence to detect and prevent security threats before escalation.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, hailed the lecture as a vital contribution to bridging the gap between academic insight and practical security leadership.
“The CDS’s insights provide a timely foundation for evidence-based solutions to Nigeria’s growing security challenges,” he said.
Director of TECESM, Dr. Benjamin Aluko, described General Musa’s presence as a “watershed moment” for the centre, adding that the lecture will shape future research and strategic thinking in national security management.
The event brought together top academics, military strategists, and policymakers in a collective effort to address the complex and evolving threat landscape confronting Nigeria.
