The Federal Government has destroyed 3,867 Small and Light Weapons. “Today, a total of quantity 3,867 different types and calibres of SALW will be destroyed by the initial burning process and subsequently, smelting of the remnant metal parts. “It is pertinent to state that the National Centre has in its custody some recovered/captured illicit SALW still undergoing tracing as well as investigations and legal processes. “These include the illicit weapons smuggled into the Country and intercepted at Onne Port and NAHCO shed at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos by the Nigeria Customs Service. “These categories of weapons would be destroyed on completion of the proceedings during subsequent routine destruction exercises,” he said. transparent documentation and destruction of decommissioned, unserviceable, captured, surrendered, and recovered illicit firearms. This, he said, is in line with the provisions of Article 17 of the ECOWAS Convention on SALW and the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW. The NCCSALW boss said the centre would continue to push in the direction of generating ingenious strategies to reduce, if not completely eradicate, the availability of illicit arms in society. He expressed appreciation to the Service Chiefs and heads of other arms-bearing security and intelligence services for releasing the recovered weapons for the destruction exercises. “I am assured of your continued support to the Centre as we work together towards our shared vision of an illicit arms-free society,” he added.

ECOWAS Leaders Have Failed to Uphold the Rule of Law – Femi Falana Speaks Out Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticized the leadership of ECOWAS, accusing them of neglecting their duty to uphold democratic principles and the rule of law across West Africa. According to Nigeria Stories, Falana emphasized that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has repeatedly turned a blind eye to constitutional violations and electoral malpractice in member countries. He stated that this failure has contributed to the erosion of democratic institutions and civil liberties in the region. “ECOWAS leaders have failed woefully in their responsibility to defend the rule of law. They watch while constitutions are manipulated and citizens’ rights are trampled upon,” Falana said. His remarks come at a time when West Africa continues to grapple with political instability, military coups, and growing public distrust in governance. Falana’s comments add to the increasing calls for ECOWAS to shift from passive diplomacy to decisive action in addressing democratic backsliding within its member states. #FemiFalana #ECOWAS #RuleOfLaw

ECOWAS Leaders Undermining Rule of Law, Falana Alleges Senior Advocate Urges President Tinubu to Ensure Compliance with ECOWAS Court Rulings Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has accused the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of failing to uphold the rule of law and democratic principles in the region. In a statement titled “End Disobedience of ECOWAS Courts,” Falana said ECOWAS leaders have repeatedly shown disregard for the rulings of the Community Court of Justice, undermining its authority and the region’s legal framework. Falana disclosed that as of December 2024, a total of 154 judgements from the ECOWAS Court remained unenforced by member states. He noted that Nigeria tops the list with 44 outstanding judgements, followed by Togo (27) and Guinea (15). Other non-compliant countries include Mali (10), Sierra Leone (9), Niger (8), Côte d’Ivoire (8), Senegal (8), Ghana (6), Benin (5), Liberia (4), Burkina Faso (5), The Gambia (3), Cabo Verde (1), and Guinea-Bissau (1). “With respect, the ECOWAS leaders have failed to uphold democratic norms and the rule of law,” Falana said. “Without any legal or political justification, they have treated the decisions of the ECOWAS Court with disdain.” He emphasized that some of the same leaders — or their family members — who once defied the court have later turned to it for protection after leaving office. Notable examples include Charles Taylor (Liberia), Laurent Gbagbo (Côte d’Ivoire), Boni Yayi (Benin), Mamadou Tandja (Niger), Blaise Compaoré (Burkina Faso), and Mrs. Doe, widow of former Liberian president Samuel Doe. Nigeria’s Responsibility Falana, who previously served as President of the West African Bar Association, said Article 24 of the ECOWAS Court mandates each member state to designate a national authority responsible for enforcing court decisions. In 2014, Nigeria appointed its Attorney-General for this role. He called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) to immediately begin implementing the court’s decisions. “It is the height of embarrassment that Nigeria, under the current ECOWAS Chairmanship of President Tinubu, leads in the number of unenforced judgements,” Falana said. “To restore credibility and regional leadership, Nigeria must comply without further delay.” Tinubu’s ECOWAS Legacy President Tinubu, who currently serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, recently praised the bloc’s achievements during its 50th anniversary celebrations, citing progress in election monitoring, mediation, and institution-building, including the ECOWAS Court of Justice. “ECOWAS has upheld democratic norms through election observation, mediation, and institutions such as the ECOWAS Parliament and Court of Justice — cementing accountability, rule of law, and people-centred governance,” Tinubu said. Falana’s remarks, however, suggest a stark contrast between rhetoric and reality, as he urged West African leaders to stop undermining the very institutions they claim to support.

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NIGERIA BANS BURKINA RALLY It appears that the 2 years Burkina Faso has spent under revolutionary leadership has sent jitters down the spines of Nigeria's leadership. Pan-Africanism is apparently now banned in Nigeria. Or at least that's what Nigerian activist Kola Edokpayi discovered when he organised a Pan-African solidarity rally in support of Burkina Faso. The rally was to be held in the spirit of countless other rallies around the world that took place on the same day in defence of Burkina Faso and its leader Ibrahim Traore against attacks from the US. He immediately received a cease-and-desist order from the Edo State Commissioner of Police. And cease he did, but that was just the start. The Department of State Services and the police stormed his office, detained about six individuals, and later released four, keeping Edokpayi and another associate in custody. The act has been condemned by the Edo State chapter of the Take It Back Movement, calling it a violation of constitutional rights. President Bola Tinubu's government has maintained a position of hostility against the Alliance of Sahel States, which Burkina Faso is a member of. Following the popular revolutionary coup against Western favourite Mohamed Bazoum in Niger, Tinubu, who then chaired ECOWAS, pushed firmly for an ECOWAS invasion to reinstate Bazoum. Solidarity from Mali and Burkina Faso with Niger is credited with eventually giving ECOWAS cold feet. Since then, there have been no conciliatory moves from Abuja. Let us know what you think. Why did Nigeria ban rallies in support of Burkina Faso?

Trump Warns Putin Is ‘Playing With Fire’ Amid Stalled Peace Talks U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of “playing with fire” as diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine struggle to gain traction. Trump’s comments came Tuesday via his Truth Social platform, where he expressed frustration over the lack of progress in peace negotiations. The warning follows his earlier remarks describing Putin as “absolutely CRAZY” after a large-scale drone attack in Ukraine left multiple civilians dead. "Putin doesn’t realize that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would’ve already happened to Russia. And I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!" Trump posted, without specifying what those consequences might have been. Moscow maintains that its military actions are in response to increasing Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilians and accuses Kyiv of deliberately undermining peace efforts. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and despite a phone conversation eight days ago where Trump claimed Putin agreed to resume talks, no progress has been reported. Diplomatic pressure has grown in recent weeks, with Washington reportedly considering a new wave of sanctions. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and CNN, Trump is weighing additional economic measures against Russia, which could be announced as early as this week. Speaking on Sunday, Trump confirmed he was “absolutely” considering sanctions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said all options remain on the table. “President Trump has been clear in his call for a negotiated peace deal and is prepared to act decisively. This war is Joe Biden’s fault,” she told AFP. Trump has so far resisted harsh sanctions on Russian banks, arguing they could have devastating effects. However, his recent comments reflect a shift from his previously cordial tone toward Putin, with whom he often claimed to have a good relationship. Meanwhile, Russia continues its drone campaign. Between May 20 and 27, Russian forces claimed to have intercepted over 2,300 Ukrainian drones. On Tuesday night alone, nearly 150 drones were reportedly downed, including 33 targeting Moscow. The Russian defense ministry accused Ukraine—and its European allies—of attempting to sabotage peace efforts. In contrast, Ukrainian officials say it is Russia that is deliberately targeting civilians. “We need to end this eternal waiting — Russia needs more sanctions,” wrote Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Telegram. Calls for action are also growing in the U.S. Congress. Senator Chuck Grassley urged strong measures, while bipartisan voices, including Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, pushed for secondary sanctions on countries continuing to do business with Russia. Former Trump national security adviser and Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg told Fox News that Geneva may serve as the next venue for peace talks after Russia rejected the Vatican as a host. He expressed hope that Trump, Putin, and Zelensky could come together for direct negotiations. The Swiss foreign ministry declined to confirm Geneva as a host but reiterated Switzerland’s readiness to facilitate dialogue. Earlier this month, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks in over three years in Istanbul. #TrumpWarning, #PutinUkraineWar, #ECOWAS50Celebration

ECOWAS @50: Delegates Convene in Lagos to Mark Regional Bloc’s Golden Jubilee Delegates from across West Africa have gathered at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional body committed to unity, peace, and economic integration. The golden jubilee celebrations, which were initially launched in Accra, Ghana, in April, continue in Nigeria’s commercial capital with a series of high-profile events. Nigeria’s President and current Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, joined other dignitaries, including the only surviving founding father of the organization, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), who was instrumental in the signing of the original treaty in Lagos in 1975. Earlier in the day, a special session reflecting on ECOWAS’ founding and progress took place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Victoria Island, Lagos. Following the session, regional leaders and top ECOWAS officials are expected to proceed to Eko Hotel for the main celebration. According to a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Touray will deliver the welcome address. President Tinubu is scheduled to speak on the organization’s milestones over the past five decades. Also expected to give a retrospective analysis is Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman of the NIIA and former Minister of External Affairs, who will highlight the community’s 50-year journey—a topic that will also be explored in panel discussions. General Yakubu Gowon is expected to participate in all scheduled events and deliver a keynote address at the Eko Hotel ceremony. #Bola #Tinubu, #Regional #Integration

“Unity and leadership pave the way for regional progress — celebrating 50 years of ECOWAS with vision and hope.” — According to Nigeria Stories President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), arrive at the NIIA in Lagos to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS.

"President Tinubu arrives in Lagos ahead of ECOWAS 50th anniversary celebrations, greeted by Governor Sanwo-Olu and delegation." — According to Imran Muhammad @Imranmuhdz

"As ECOWAS anniversary activities kick off, we're urging motorists to plan ahead and use alternative routes to ease traffic flow." — According to Naija @Naija_PR, LASG advises drivers exiting Ajose Adeogun to take Sanusi Fafunwa Street instead.

JUST IN: President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Abuja today, May 27, 2025, for Lagos to join other leaders in celebrating the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS. Regional unity on the agenda 🇳🇬🌍 Via @NigeriaStories #Tinubu #ECOWAS50 #Nigeria

Tinubu Departs For Lagos To Mark ECOWAS 50th Anniversary, Commission Projects President Tinubu will observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks, before returning to Abuja