The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has called for stronger regional cooperation and intelligence sharing to combat the proliferation of illicit arms and strengthen security ahead of Nigeria’s forthcoming elections.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, following the opening of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Identification and Tracing (SALW-IT) Simulation Programme in Abuja.
The five-day training, scheduled to run from October 12 to 16, 2026, is aimed at equipping security personnel with the skills required to identify, mark, register and trace small arms, light weapons and ammunition.
Participants from 12 African countries, including Nigeria, Chad, Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Algeria, Libya, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo, are attending the programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Disu described the illegal circulation of firearms as a significant security challenge across the continent, noting that it contributes to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and organised crime.
He explained that effective weapons identification and tracing could help investigators uncover illegal supply chains, identify those financing arms trafficking and track the routes through which weapons enter criminal networks.
The police chief also underscored the importance of the initiative to preparations for Nigeria’s forthcoming elections, stating that curbing the flow of illegal firearms would help prevent electoral violence and intimidation while protecting voters and election officials.
He added that participants would be expected to transfer the knowledge acquired during the training to officers across police commands and formations through structured capacity-building programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
According to him, the initiative would enhance the ability of police personnel to identify and recover illicit weapons, generate actionable intelligence and strengthen operational responses to crime and election-related security threats.
Disu further called for stronger collaboration among African countries through timely intelligence exchange, coordinated investigations and mutual legal assistance to ensure that criminals involved in cross-border offences do not exploit national boundaries to escape justice.
He also disclosed plans for Inspectors-General of Police from West and East African countries to convene discussions on common security challenges and develop strategies for tackling transnational crime.
The IGP commended the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC), INTERPOL, relevant African Union bodies and experts from the German Armed Forces Verification Centre for supporting the programme.
He urged participants to exchange professional experiences, strengthen institutional partnerships and apply the skills acquired to improve security in their respective countries.
Disu reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to regional and continental initiatives aimed at controlling illicit arms, pledging continued institutional support and operational cooperation to translate the training into improved public safety and election security.
