The United Nations (UN) has revealed that some weapons looted during the 2011 Libyan conflict have ended up in the hands of terrorist and extremist groups operating in Nigeria.
Speaking at a meeting on the proliferation of illicit firearms at the UN headquarters in New York, the UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, said weapons stolen during and after the Libyan conflict continued to fuel violence across the Sahel region years after the war ended.
According to Nakamitsu, the weapons, which were looted following the overthrow of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, later surfaced in several countries across the Sahel, including Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
She noted that some of the weapons were subsequently discovered in the possession of extremist groups, highlighting how arms originating from one conflict can destabilize neighboring countries long after hostilities have ceased.
Nakamitsu warned that the continued circulation of illicit small arms poses a serious threat to peacebuilding efforts and regional stability. She explained that weapons retained by armed groups, militias, and even communities for self-defense often contribute to renewed violence and insecurity.
The UN official further linked the spread of illegal firearms to terrorism, human rights abuses, and gender-based violence, stressing that the issue extends beyond security concerns and affects peace, development, and human rights.
She also cautioned that weapons used in conflicts frequently remain in circulation after wars end, crossing borders and fueling criminal activities. In addition, Nakamitsu identified emerging threats such as ghost guns, 3D-printed firearms, and sophisticated arms trafficking networks as new challenges facing governments worldwide.
The UN called for stronger international efforts to curb the proliferation of illicit weapons and prevent their movement across borders, particularly in conflict-prone regions.
