The United Nations has reported that weapons looted from Libya during its conflict have been recovered in the possession of extremist groups operating in Nigeria.

According to the UN, arms that went missing from Libyan stockpiles after the collapse of state control have found their way across the Sahel and into Nigeria. The weapons are said to be in the hands of extremist elements, raising concerns about regional security and the flow of illicit arms.

Security analysts have long warned that unsecured Libyan arsenals would fuel insurgency and banditry across West Africa. The UN findings reinforce those concerns and highlight the challenge of tracking and recovering weapons trafficked across porous borders.

Nigerian authorities have not issued a detailed response to the UN report at the time of filing. Security agencies continue to battle extremist groups in the North East and other regions where such weapons are reportedly being used.

The UN called for stronger regional cooperation to intercept arms smuggling routes and prevent further proliferation of looted weapons.

Source: Punch Newspapers