The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has warned member states against the diversion of legally acquired weapons for illicit purposes, describing the practice as a serious threat to national security and regional stability.
The warning was issued during a five-day training on physical security, stockpile management and property management for national security, organised by the ECOWAS Small Arms Division in collaboration with the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
ECOWAS Acting Head of Small Arms Division, Abayomi Adeomi, said governments must pay attention not only to arms trafficked across borders but also to weapons diverted from authorised national stockpiles.
He stressed that proper inventory, routine inspections, safe storage and the timely destruction of surplus weapons were essential to preventing theft, diversion and accidental explosions.
Meanwhile, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons disclosed that it had destroyed more than 17,000 unserviceable, obsolete and decommissioned weapons, alongside over 20,000 rounds of illicit ammunition, since its establishment in 2021.
Officials said stronger stockpile management and cooperation among security agencies were crucial to preventing weapons from falling into the hands of criminals, terrorists and other unauthorised groups.