The German Government on Tuesday handed over a newly constructed containerized armoury to the Nigeria Police Force as part of its ongoing support for arms control and security reform in the country.
The armoury was delivered by the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, at the FCT Police Command Headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the German Embassy, the handover was more than the commissioning of a physical facility; it symbolized a shared commitment to peace, security, and responsible arms management between both countries.
The Embassy expressed concern over the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in West Africa, describing it as a major driver of armed violence that continues to devastate lives and destabilize communities.
“To respond to these threats, Germany is working closely with the Nigerian government through collaborative and innovative initiatives to strengthen national and local capacities in arms control,” the statement read.
The armoury project was implemented by The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in close partnership with the Nigeria Police Force and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW). It forms part of a broader, multi-year regional initiative funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, aimed at reducing the human cost of armed violence across the Sahel and West Africa.
The initiative focuses on three primary objectives:
Under the current phase of the project, MAG and its partners have achieved key milestones in Nigeria, including:
The German Embassy also revealed that in the coming months, MAG will continue its engagement with affected communities to raise awareness on SALW dangers and work with NCCSALW on weapons destruction and security improvements.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Ambassador Annett Günther emphasized the importance of collaboration:
“The success of this project is the result of strong partnerships. The effective collaboration between MAG, Nigerian institutions, and other regional actors shows what we can achieve when we work together.”
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