Nigeria has voiced serious concerns over the flow of weapons from Libya, which it says is fueling internal security crises, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, CEO of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), highlighted the issue during a roundtable discussion organized by the Center for International Private Enterprise in Washington, D.C.
Bakari emphasized that the influx of arms from Libya has significantly escalated Nigeria’s internal security challenges, contributing to the spread of terrorism across the country.
She stressed the need for long-term, sustainable solutions rather than temporary measures to combat the growing threat. “The inflow of weapons from Libya is directly linked to the escalation of Nigeria’s security crisis. We need more than stopgap measures; we need sustainable solutions,” Bakari said.
The collapse of Libya’s government following the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 has turned the country into a major hub for arms smuggling. Weapons from Libya have flooded neighboring regions, including Nigeria, where terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP have exploited the situation to fuel violence and instability. The porous borders and weak security frameworks in the Sahel region have further enabled the smuggling of these weapons, intensifying insurgencies and criminal activities.
Bakari’s comments underscored how Libya’s ongoing instability has ripple effects far beyond its borders. The unchecked arms trade originating from Libya has become a significant driver of conflict across West and North Africa, with Nigeria bearing the brunt of this destabilization.
Bakari also highlighted Nigeria’s steps to strengthen its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation (AML/CFT/CPF) framework. These measures aim to identify and disrupt the financial networks that fund terrorism and arms trafficking. Nigeria, she said, has been working closely with international partners to enhance its security and financial systems to address these issues.
In her presentation, Bakari emphasized that the NFIU is working alongside key stakeholders to combat terrorism financing, noting that Nigeria has revived the Joint Task Force on terrorism finance in the Sahel. She announced that member states are set to meet in Abuja later this month to sign an agreement formalizing this effort.
During her visit, Bakari called for greater international support, urging global partners to help Nigeria in its fight against terrorism, especially in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.
She stressed that Nigeria has the political will and support to tackle these challenges but needs further institutional backing to achieve its goals. “We need your help to implement sustainable solutions to fight terrorism and disrupt the flow of weapons from Libya,” Bakari told the audience.
Bakari also met with Oge Onubogu, Director of the Africa Program at the Wilson Center, to discuss joint efforts in promoting Nigeria’s reforms in combating terrorism financing. They agreed to collaborate on raising awareness within the U.S. public and private sectors regarding Nigeria’s groundbreaking security and financial reforms.
