By Nanzi Adoma
Abuja, Nigeria – June 4, 2025
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has erupted in protest over what it calls a “misguided and dangerous” military operation that intercepted a truck carrying 164,000 live shotgun cartridges in Anambra State—ammunition the group insists was intended for legal and lifesaving use by rural defenders.
The operation, conducted by troops of Operation UDO KA in conjunction with the 63 Brigade and the Department of State Services (DSS), has sparked national debate after the seized cartridges—mostly “AA” and “BB” caliber, typically used for small game and bird hunting—were publicly displayed in sacks.
In a strongly worded statement signed by MBF spokesman Luka Binniyat, the group slammed what it described as a “theatrical show” by security forces, accusing them of stoking fear and misunderstanding around ammunition that is both legal and essential for community-based volunteer guards across Nigeria.
“These are not military-grade weapons,” the MBF insisted. “They are standard cartridges used by licensed hunters and volunteer defenders in rural communities constantly under siege from terrorists and bandits.”
Citing the Firearms Act, Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, the MBF emphasized that possession of such ammunition is legal as long as the user has the appropriate license. It lamented the fact that authorities failed to clarify whether the intercepted shipment had proper documentation before going public with the seizure.
“It is deeply troubling that in the recent operation, no effort has been made, at least publicly, to clarify whether the suspects involved had legal permits or importation licenses for these cartridges,” the MBF stated. “This kind of heavy-handedness only undermines community safety.”
The forum warned that the ongoing clampdown on shotgun cartridge circulation—though likely well-meaning—has had devastating consequences for communities already left exposed by Nigeria’s overstretched security architecture.
“Our volunteer guards, who are often the only buffer between law-abiding citizens and terrorist militias, have long lamented the scarcity and soaring costs of these very cartridges,” the statement noted. “Now they face further danger from a system that seems more focused on theatrics than protection.”
While reaffirming its opposition to illegal arms trafficking, the MBF accused the government and security agencies of disarming the innocent while leaving terrorists unchecked.
“In today’s Nigeria, where security forces are overwhelmed, it is simply unjust to deprive legitimate citizens of their right to self-defense,” the forum declared.
The MBF called for urgent reforms to allow licensed shotgun users—including local hunters and vigilantes—to access cartridges legally and affordably through designated centers nationwide. Such a framework, the group argued, would help eliminate the black market while boosting accountability and oversight.
It also urged the Ministry of Interior, the Office of the National Security Adviser, Defense Headquarters, and the Nigeria Police to develop policies that strike a balance between national security and citizens’ rights to defend themselves.
In a country grappling with rising insecurity, the MBF’s fiery response has reignited questions about the role of civilian defense groups
South South Times . 