Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has stirred public conversation after openly admitting that he once traded in weapons across Africa, describing it as a business driven by profit.
Kalu made the revelation during an interview on Arise Television, where he reflected on his business ventures before entering politics. The senator said arms dealing was one of his major international businesses at the time and confirmed that he sold weapons to buyers in different countries.
Asked directly if he had been an arms dealer, Kalu answered in the affirmative, adding that he eventually abandoned the business after pressure from his parents. According to him, both his mother and father insisted that he leave the trade, a request he said he obeyed.
Related News
The most controversial part of the interview came when he addressed questions about the possible consequences of selling weapons. Kalu said his focus at the time was making money and not how the weapons would later be used by buyers.
He also maintained that his business was not tied to any specific political group or organisation. Instead, he said he sold weapons to anyone who could afford them, mentioning countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia as examples of places where buyers came from.
When questioned about whether he had sold arms to former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Kalu indicated that his policy at the time was to sell to any customer with the financial means to pay.
Related News
The senator declined to reveal where he sourced the weapons, saying the details remained part of his private business affairs. He also argued that the transactions involved heavy weapons traded between countries rather than the small arms often linked to local insecurity concerns.
Kalu’s comments have drawn attention because they touch on sensitive questions surrounding arms trafficking, accountability and security across the continent. While the former governor framed the activity as a past commercial enterprise, his remarks have reignited debate about the responsibilities of arms dealers and the broader impact of the weapons trade on conflict and human suffering.
The disclosure came as Kalu discussed his longstanding relationships with several African leaders, including the late Nelson Mandela, whom he credited with introducing him to prominent political figures in South Africa.
