Looted Libyan Weapons Found with Nigerian Extremists – UN

The United Nations has reported that weapons looted during the 2011 Libyan conflict have ended up in the hands of extremist groups in Nigeria.

UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, made the statement at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, during a gathering of delegates addressing the global spread of illicit firearms.

Nakamitsu expressed concern that weapons continue to fuel violence in communities long after wars have ended, causing devastation in areas that were once peaceful.

She cited Libya, where arms looted or diverted during and after the 2011 conflict, which ended Muammar Gaddafi’s rule, later surfaced across the wider Sahel region, including Niger, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria.

Some of these weapons were subsequently found with extremist groups, illustrating how arms from one conflict can destabilize neighboring countries years later.

“The end of the conflict does not mean the end of the circulation of those weapons; they remain and continue to harm people,” she said.

The UN noted that in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, proliferation of small arms undermines peacebuilding efforts long after fighting subsides.

Weapons retained by armed groups, militias, or local communities for self-protection can contribute to renewed violence and instability, Nakamitsu emphasized.

She also highlighted that illicit weapons are linked to human rights abuses, terrorism, and sexual and gender-based violence.

“It is not just a security issue. It is also about peacebuilding, human rights, and development,” Nakamitsu said.

She warned that even years after conflicts fade from headlines, the weapons used often continue to circulate across borders, fueling crime and threatening fragile peace.

“Wars end, but unfortunately, the weapons used in those conflicts are not fully controlled. They continue to circulate, are sometimes hidden, and are trafficked across borders,” she said.

Nakamitsu expressed concern about the rise of ghost guns, 3D-printed firearms, and sophisticated trafficking networks, which create new challenges for governments worldwide.

“Disassembled weapons or parts that are trafficked are much more difficult to trace,” she noted.

UN member states adopted an action programme in 2001 to strengthen national legislation, improve stockpile security, combat illicit trafficking, and expand international cooperation.

In 2005, the International Tracing Instrument was adopted, establishing global standards for marking, recording, and tracing illegal weapons.

The framework helps investigators identify the origin of illicit weapons, track their entry into illegal markets, and reduce diversion from legal stockpiles.

The UN continues to support implementation through technical assistance, policy guidance, and capacity-building programs that help governments secure stockpiles, improve tracing systems, and strengthen border controls.

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