The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced plans to account for and retrieve service weapons from retired personnel, citing the provisions of the Firearms Act, amid growing concerns over the proliferation of arms and internal security lapses in the country.
The move was disclosed on Saturday in Abuja, during a parley between the chief of the air staff and Nigerian Air Force veterans.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, was represented at the meeting by the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Anthony Martins.
According to the air force, the planned retrieval exercise is part of efforts to balance the personal security concerns of senior retired officers with existing laws regulating firearm possession in Nigeria.
Aneke, speaking through Martins, said the service was also considering the establishment of a regulated armoury system that could allow eligible retired personnel to lawfully possess approved calibres, subject to strict compliance with extant regulations.
“On the issue of personal security, the Nigerian Air Force remains mindful of the peculiar concerns of our senior veterans.
“While respecting the provisions of the Firearms Act, efforts are ongoing to properly account for and retrieve service weapons where necessary,” he said.
“Modalities are being explored for the establishment of a regulated armoury system, which would allow eligible retired personnel to lawfully possess approved calibres, in line with extant regulations.”
The announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of security agencies over unaccounted weapons and their possible circulation outside official control, a concern repeatedly raised by security experts and civil society groups.
The air force leadership assured veterans that the process would be carried out with consideration for their welfare and past contributions, stressing that veteran engagement remains a priority under the current administration.
“Veteran administration is capital-intensive, and we appreciate the insights shared today, including international best practices such as the Australian model,” Aneke said, claiming that the Air Force is ahead of other services in institutionalising veteran engagement.
The parley also served as a briefing session on other ongoing initiatives, including welfare reforms and youth empowerment programmes, while veterans were given the opportunity to raise concerns related to post-service administration.
The discussions, according to the NAF, form part of broader internal reforms aimed at tightening compliance with national security regulations and improving oversight of retired personnel.
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