Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that part of Nigeria’s growing insecurity can be traced to events that followed the death of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya.
Speaking during an interview with News Central TV, Obasanjo explained that Gaddafi had recruited mercenaries from several countries, including Nigeria, to fight during the Libyan conflict. According to him, the situation took a dangerous turn after Gaddafi was killed.
He noted that once the Libyan leader died, many of the mercenaries dispersed and returned to their home countries. In Nigeria’s case, Obasanjo said a significant number of them came back with weapons they had acquired during the war.
This development, he explained, contributed to the rise in illegal arms within the country. He added that some of the returnees not only kept the weapons but also began trading them, further worsening the already fragile security situation.
In his words: “Gaddafi recruited mercenaries from everywhere, including from Nigeria. When Gaddafi was killed those mercenaries went their different ways. A lot of them came to Nigeria with their guns, some even started trading guns from there to Nigeria.”
Obasanjo’s remarks shed light on the broader regional impact of the Libyan crisis and how it may have unintentionally fueled instability in other parts of Africa. The influx of small arms and light weapons has long been identified as a major factor driving banditry, insurgency, and other forms of violence across Nigeria.
His comments have once again sparked conversations about the need for stronger border control, disarmament strategies, and regional cooperation to address the proliferation of illegal weapons. As insecurity continues to challenge the nation, stakeholders are increasingly calling for comprehensive solutions to tackle its root causes….See More
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