Nigeria imported arms and ammunition worth N55.06 billion in the first six months of 2026, representing a 104.31 per cent increase from the N26.95 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
The latest foreign trade statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the value of arms imported into the country more than doubled between January and June this year.
The sharp increase has heightened security concerns over the proliferation and movement of firearms as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, with political violence, voter intimidation and attacks on electoral personnel among the risks frequently identified by security experts and civil society organisations.
The development is also coming less than a year before the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are fixed for February 6, 2027, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The growing value of arms imports comes amid separate efforts by security agencies to intercept illegal weapons entering the country.
The Nigeria Customs Service reportedly intercepted about 603 firearms between January and August 2026. The seized weapons were subsequently transferred to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Security experts and civil society groups have repeatedly warned that the uncontrolled circulation of firearms could undermine the safety and credibility of elections by increasing political violence, intimidating voters and disrupting the movement and protection of electoral materials.
Concerns over election security were also highlighted by the CLEEN Foundation in its assessment of security operations during the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
The foundation deployed trained observers to polling units to monitor the conduct and presence of security personnel. Its assessment found that security officers were present in the large majority of the locations observed, with reports from all monitored polling units indicating that the number of officers was generally adequate.
However, security personnel reportedly abandoned their posts temporarily in six per cent of the locations, while two per cent of polling units were left completely unattended.
CLEEN Foundation stressed that security personnel must remain at their posts until the electoral process is fully concluded, noting that the period immediately after voting remains particularly vulnerable to interference.
It observed that “opportunistic interference is most likely” during the final hours of voting and immediately afterwards, when queues are cleared and ballot boxes are prepared for transportation.
The assessment further showed that security officers were visibly armed with firearms in 37 per cent of the polling locations monitored. The foundation said the figure was generally consistent with standard security deployment procedures.
Force was reportedly used by security personnel in two per cent of the locations, while threats were recorded in 12 per cent of the polling units.
On the protection of electoral materials, security officials escorted the movement of ballot boxes and other materials in 86 per cent of the monitored polling units. The foundation said it could not independently verify the situation in the remaining 14 per cent.
A separate review of media reports conducted by CLEEN Foundation identified six locations where violence was allegedly recorded during the Osun election. The reported incidents included gunfire near a traditional ruler’s palace and disruption allegedly caused by political thugs at a polling unit.
The foundation, however, cautioned that most of the reports were based on unverified allegations by political parties and could not be independently confirmed.
Ahead of future elections, CLEEN Foundation urged security agencies to maintain vigilance throughout voting, collation and the transmission of results, warning that threats to voters, party agents and election observers can intensify after polling ends.
It also called on the Federal Government to accelerate the establishment of a specialised judicial process for prosecuting electoral offences.
According to the organisation, the absence of effective and timely prosecution has created a “climate of impunity”, weakening deterrence against electoral malpractice.
With arms imports rising sharply and the 2027 elections drawing closer, pressure is mounting on security agencies to strengthen border controls, track the movement of firearms and prevent illegal weapons from being used to fuel political violence.
The surge in arms imports does not, by itself, establish that the weapons are connected to the 2027 elections. But against the backdrop of existing concerns over illegal firearms and election-related violence, the figures are likely to intensify calls for stronger weapons control and tighter security ahead of the polls.