The Federal Government on Thursday destroyed 2,809 illicit, decommissioned and unserviceable small arms and light weapons. Speaking at the event, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, said the exercise demonstrated government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and national security. He said terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and other violent crimes were sustained by the widespread availability of illicit arms. He said the proliferation of illicit small arms remained one of the major drivers of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and other violent crimes across Nigeria. He said the exercise sent a strong message to illicit arms traffickers that recovered weapons would be permanently destroyed rather than returned to circulation.