By Uche Onyeali
West African Action Network on Small Arms, WAANSA, has called on the presidency to declare a gun amnesty for persons in possession of illegal arms to surrender them to appropriate authorities.
WAANSA also urged the government to order immediate reopening of closed schools nationwide..
Recall that some state governments had recently directed the closure of public schools following spike in abduction of school children by gunmen.
However, WAANSA was of the view that shutting school due to insecurity could signal weakness on the part of government rather than marshaling out strategies to combat the escalating insecurity.
WAANSA in a letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, dated November 24, 2025, noted that many Nigerians expect that the government must act with maximum force to protect citizens in line with the dictates of the Nigerian constitution.
The letter, signed by the Regional First Vice President of WAANSA, Comrade Martin Igwe, and copied to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff, and director-general of the Department of State Services, DSS, also urged the president to commence fencing Nigeria’s international borders to check continuous inlux of criminals into the country.
The letter partly read: “After WAANSA participation at the annual coordinating meeting of national Commission on Small Arms for ECOWAS member-states organised by ECOWAS Commission in Ghana which is aimed at strengthening the implementation of the ECOWAS convention on small arms and light weapons I thought it wise not to keep quiet on the issues of kidnapping banditry ravaging our country, the ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by bad people but by the silence of good people, as the hottest place in hell will be reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great conflict, hence as civil society organisation working for peace through advocating against illegal proliferation of arms and light weapons in West Africa, we appeal to you to consider the following advise; direct the opening of schools nationwide immediately as the closure of schools is a demonstration of weakness.
“The consensus among many Nigerians are that government must act with maximum force to protect citizens in line with the dictate of the Nigerian constitution. There is no better alternative to good and qualitative education, hence our young generations quests for fundamental skills, development for future economic opportunities must not be dashed, given impression that the criminals are winning the war.
“Mr President, as WAANSA mobilises for International Border Security Campaign in our states in border communities, there is an urgent need to start fencing our international borders.
“Information allegedly confirms that most of the criminal actors abuse the ECOWAS Protocol of Free entry to unleash harm on Nigerians. This has increased organized crimes and flow of illicit small arms and light weapons in Nigeria and West Africa.
“Thirdly, Your Excellency, WAANSA appeals to you to announce gun amnesty for 6 months starting from 10th December, 2025 (International Human Rights Day) persons who voluntarily handover weapons at designated areas approved by National Security Adviser should be free from any punishment. This should follow with Nationwide Arms registration for easy identification of arms owners for easy tracking in case of misuse.
“Mr President, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu-Nupe, chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers and coordinating chairperson, National Council of Traditional Rulers, has been appointed as Regional Advisory Council representing Nigeria as directed by Ecowas Commission Political Affairs, Peace and Security.
This position can be utilised to mobilise traditional rulers who remain custodian of their local communities for national and international peace. They remain credible contact of relevant intelligence early warning signal which are relevant in activating quick action against these coordinated act of banditry and trans-border criminalities.
“The activities of undocumented internally displaced camps all over Nigeria is already an existing threat to Nigeria’s security. Proliferation of vigilante groups in Nigeria must be looked into by the Office of the National Security Adviser with the view of uniting their intervention as they complement government peace effort in local communities.
“This action should be coordinated with strict collaboration with traditional rulers and local government authorities.
‘Our military, the police, the State Security Services and all other premilitary organisations are doing their best to advance the course of securing the nation and deserve enough motivation to boost their morale.”
No matter the criticisms coming from minority ignorant few among us. My visit to three armoured division of the Nigerian Army in Platea State confirms the commitment of security agencies towards peace and development.”
The organisation further noted that while they commend proactive measures taken so far to boost the nation’s security, such as recruitment of more security personnel, approval of National Forestry Service Bill to protect the forests, the citizens should be constantly mobilised to be informed on the real state of the nation, and must not allow non-state actors to the country.
