Firearm surrenders plunge 83%

Namibia recorded a sharp decline in voluntary firearm surrenders during its annual firearms amnesty campaign, with only 15 firearms handed over compared to 86 in 2025, acting Inspector-General Maj-General Anne-Marie Nainda confirmed yesterday.

The campaign ran from 1 to 30 September and recorded the surrender of four hand grenades and 298 rounds of ammunition, according to regional tallies.

Omusati recorded two firearms, 162 rounds of ammunition and all four hand grenades, while Erongo recorded five firearms and 71 rounds. Oshikoto recorded five firearms and 55 rounds, followed by Omaheke with two firearms and Otjozondjupa with one.

Oshana recorded 10 rounds of ammunition but no firearms. Eight of Namibia’s 14 police regions recorded no surrenders, including Khomas, which encompasses the capital, Windhoek. The 2025 campaign recovered 86 firearms, 3 171 rounds of ammunition and 22 weapon magazines.

-Desmarius Hansen