Nigeria urged the global community to stop criticising the country over rising security issues.
Its UN envoy said cooperation, not blame, is needed to tackle the spread of illegal weapons.
Nigeria has appealed to the international community to stop what it described as naming and shaming the country over its ongoing security challenges.
The call was made by Mr Syndoph Endoni, the Chargé d’Affaires at Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. He delivered the message while addressing the United Nations Security Council in New York during a session on the Illicit Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons and their impact on the Sahel region.
Endoni explained that the uncontrolled movement of small arms and light weapons has made conflicts worse in several areas. He said the easy access to these weapons has helped insurgent groups, terrorists and violent extremists carry out more attacks, resulting in the loss of many innocent lives and the destruction of homes and property.
According to him, the suffering caused by these weapons goes far beyond security concerns and has become a major humanitarian and developmental problem. He said the pain felt by affected communities shows how serious the situation has become.
He condemned violent acts carried out with these weapons and described them as cruel, unlawful and completely unacceptable.
Endoni stressed that blaming or mocking countries that are struggling with these problems will not lead to any lasting solution. He said the only way forward is for nations to work together and share responsibility in addressing the spread of illegal arms.
Nigeria’s comments came shortly after the United States listed the country as a Country of Particular Concern over claims of Christian persecution, a designation Nigeria has firmly denied.
