THE Federal Government, on Thursday, destroyed 2,809 illicit, decommissioned and unserviceable small arms and light weapons.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the government also reaffirmed its resolve to stem the proliferation of illegal weapons fueling insecurity across the country.

The destruction, carried out by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in Abuja, brought the cumulative number of weapons destroyed by the centre to about 19,000.

Speaking at the event, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, said the exercise demonstrated government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and national security.

Ribadu was represented by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro.

He said terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and other violent crimes were sustained by the widespread availability of illicit arms.

According to him, every weapon recovered and permanently destroyed represents a threat eliminated from society.

“It is important to emphasise that recovering weapons alone is not enough.

“Public, transparent and verifiable destruction guarantees that these recovered weapons can never again be used against any Nigerian,” he said.