The federal government says it has destroyed more than 19,000 illegal firearms since 2022, part of a broader campaign to cripple the capabilities of terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups threatening Nigeria’s security, [Mallam Nuhu Ribadu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuhu_Ribadu) announced in Sokoto on Saturday.
Key points from the briefing include:
- The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) reported the recovery of 5,449 firearms and the destruction of 1,419 illicit weapons in September 2026.
- Operation FANSAN YAMMA is being used as a coordination platform for security actions across the North‑West.
- President [Bola Ahmed Tinubu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Ahmed_Tinubu)'s administration is intensifying military, intelligence and border‑surveillance efforts.
- The dialogue emphasized the need for community resilience, early‑warning systems and cross‑border intelligence sharing.
**What was the setting of the announcement?**
The remarks were made during a high‑level multi‑stakeholder dialogue titled “Coping with Banditry in Sokoto State: A Multi‑Stakeholder Dialogue for Prevention, Containment and Community Resilience,” organised by the Sokoto Advancement Forum in partnership with the Centre for Peace Studies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University.
**How is the government strengthening security?**
Ribadu, represented by Barrister Zakariyya Mijinyawa, said the Tinubu administration is bolstering the national security architecture through increased military operations, enhanced intelligence gathering, tighter law‑enforcement actions, improved border monitoring and stronger inter‑agency collaboration. He stressed that dismantling criminal networks and cutting off their arms supply chains are essential to preventing the emergence of safe havens for armed groups.
**What role does the NCCSALW play?**
The centre’s Director‑General, retired Deputy Inspector‑General of Police Johnson Kokumo, highlighted that the September 2026 nationwide sweep recovered 5,449 firearms and destroyed 1,419 illicit weapons. Ribadu reiterated that such figures underscore the need for continuous weapons‑control operations to disrupt trafficking networks and keep illegal arms from reaching criminal elements.
**Why are community measures important?**
Ribadu warned that military action and weapons seizures alone cannot guarantee lasting peace. He called for effective governance, a sustained government presence in reclaimed areas, and the rebuilding of local institutions. He also urged the development of community‑based early‑warning mechanisms linking traditional rulers, local authorities and security focal points to enable rapid response to credible threats.
**What is the government’s broader strategy?**
The Office of the National Security Adviser is promoting a whole‑of‑government and whole‑of‑society approach via the National Crisis Management Doctrine (NCMD). This framework aims to improve preparedness, foster collaboration among relevant bodies and ensure coordinated security responses rather than fragmented actions.
**What does the NSA say about youth and livelihoods?**
Ribadu highlighted that misinformation, economic hardship and youth vulnerability could undermine security efforts. He urged stakeholders to protect livelihoods, expand education and job opportunities, and implement community‑based programmes that deter young people from joining criminal networks. He stressed that reintegration must not replace justice or reward violence.
**What are the next steps for Sokoto State?**
Ribadu praised the Sokoto Advancement Forum for its Blueprint for the Strategic Development of Sokoto State and called for the dialogue’s outcomes to be turned into concrete actions, including a community security and early‑warning plan with clear responsibilities and improved information‑sharing between residents and security agencies.
In summary, the federal government’s weapons‑destruction tally, combined with intensified security operations, intelligence‑led policing, and community‑focused initiatives, aims to restore safety and stability to Sokoto and the wider North‑West region.