Following the widespread report of a statement a representative of the Nigerian Navy made before the House of Reps September 27, the naval authorities have reacted.
Commodore Jamila Abubakar Malafa, representing the chief of naval staff, told the federal lawmakers Nigeria’s neighbours receiving military support from the West don’t have armories.
“You find out that each average Chadian soldier has 20 to 30 arms underneath his bed. When he is broke, he brings it out and sells it for $30, $20. I am here, I am standing here and I am saying it,” she said while presenting the Navy’s position on the Bill for an Act to Establish the National Commission Against Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (HB 10).
On Tuesday, Navy Director of Information, Commodore Suleiman Dahun dissociated the navy from Abubakar’s statement.
A statement by the spokesman said it was her “personal comments on the issue of transnational trafficking of small arms and light weapons.”
Dahun indicated that after presenting the position of the Navy on the Act, Malafa made “unauthorized” remarks.
“This is as it relates to neighbours with which Nigeria maintains robust diplomatic security relationships/collaborations; a personal opinion that is at variance with the position of the NN.
“The NN wishes to categorically dissociate itself from the view of the senior officer. The NN appreciates the indelible contributions of our regional partners/neighbours in the fight against small arms and light weapons trafficking.”