Nigeria Records 104% Surge in Arms, Ammunition Imports to N55bn

Nigeria imported arms and ammunition worth N55.06 billion in the first six months of 2026, representing a 104.31 per cent increase over the N26.95 billion recorded in the same period of 2025, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has shown.

The N28.11 billion increase was contained in the NBS Foreign Trade Statistics for the second quarter of 2026.

The rise comes amid growing scrutiny of arms movement into Nigeria, following recent interceptions by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of consignments containing pump-action rifles.

With the 2027 general elections less than a year away, the latest figures have also prompted concerns among security experts and other stakeholders about factors that may be driving the movement of arms into the country.

Prof. Dapo Thomas of Lagos State University said several factors, including insecurity, political activities and increasing demand for weapons, could be responsible for the rise in gun-running.

Thomas said gun-running had become a business for some individuals, while insecurity could further encourage the supply of illegal arms.

He, however, warned against attributing the increase solely to the 2027 elections, stressing that other factors, particularly insecurity, could also be responsible.

The professor noted that although elections had historically been linked with increased demand for weapons, authorities needed to remain vigilant and improve measures aimed at preventing arms from entering the country illegally.

He urged the government, the NCS, Police and other border-control agencies to strengthen surveillance and monitoring of consignments entering Nigeria.

According to him, persistent security lapses could provide room for criminal activities and illegal arms trafficking to thrive.

Customs agents demand stronger screening

Reacting to the development, Lucky Amiwero, National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), praised the NCS for intercepting recent consignments of pump-action rifles imported from Turkey.

Amiwero said the seizures demonstrated the importance of improving cargo inspection and intelligence-sharing among relevant agencies and countries.

He explained that prohibited items could be concealed in different ways inside containers, making effective inspection critical.

“We have to commend the Customs for what they are doing. Intercepting those things is not an easy thing to intercept.

“You bring up containers, they can arrange it in different ways you will not understand. If the containers are not properly inspected, you will not know that they are in there.”

He further advocated stronger international cooperation on cargo screening and intelligence sharing, saying pre-arrival information could help Nigerian authorities identify suspicious shipments before they get to the ports.

Importers plan engagement with NCS

Also, the Secretary-General of the Importers Association of Nigeria, Ahmed Yar’Adua, disclosed that the association would engage the NCS over the recent interceptions and concerns about the movement of arms through Nigerian ports.

Yar’Adua, who spoke with Vanguard, said discussions had already begun within the association and that Customs would be approached on the issue.

The engagement is expected to involve stakeholders in the importation and cargo-clearance process, with discussions focused on the circumstances surrounding the movement of prohibited consignments through the ports and possible measures to prevent similar incidents.

The NBS figures confirmed that arms and ammunition imports rose from N26.95 billion in January-June 2025 to N55.06 billion in January-June 2026, an increase of 104.31 per cent.

The figures have consequently renewed focus on the channels used to bring arms and ammunition into Nigeria and the capacity of relevant authorities to identify and prevent illicit consignments.

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