By Ojochenemi Onje, Abuja
The United Nations has raised concerns that weapons looted during Libya’s 2011 conflict have found their way into the hands of extremist groups operating in Nigeria and other countries across the Sahel, contributing to years of insecurity and instability in the region.
Speaking during a meeting on the proliferation of illicit firearms at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, warned that arms diverted during and after the uprising that ended the rule of Muammar Gaddafi,
former Libyan leader continue to fuel violence long after the conflict itself has ended.
She said weapons looted from Libya resurfaced across the wider Sahel region, including in Niger, Burkina Faso and Nigeria, where some were later recovered from extremist groups.
According to Nakamitsu, the development demonstrates how weapons originating from one conflict can destabilise neighbouring countries years later, undermining security and peacebuilding efforts.
Nakamitsu noted that the circulation of small arms and light weapons remains one of the most persistent threats to peace and development in conflict-affected regions.
She explained that weapons retained by armed groups, militias and even communities seeking self-protection often contribute to renewed cycles of violence and instability.
The UN official stressed that illicit firearms are not merely a security concern but are also linked to human rights abuses, terrorism, sexual and gender-based violence, and development challenges.
“The end of the conflict does not mean the end of the circulation of those weapons,” she said, warning that arms used in wars frequently remain outside government control and continue to move across borders through illicit networks.
The UN disarmament chief further cautioned that evolving technologies are creating new challenges for governments and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
She highlighted the growing threat posed by ghost guns, 3D-printed firearms and increasingly sophisticated arms trafficking networks, which make the tracing and monitoring of weapons more difficult.
According to her, traffickers often disassemble weapons and transport parts separately across borders, complicating efforts to identify their origin and track their movement.
The remarks come amid continuing concerns over the proliferation of illicit arms in West Africa, where security experts have repeatedly linked the spread of weapons from Libya to the strengthening of terrorist and criminal groups operating across the region.
She underscored the challenge facing countries such as Nigeria, which continue to battle insurgency, banditry and other forms of armed violence.