The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) on Friday disclosed that over 3,000 illegal weapons and firearms have so far been mopped up from illegal custodians of the equipment in Nigeria, as the country prepares for next political dispensation
Penpushing reports that, the South-West Coordinator Ben Akinlade made the disclosure at a press conference held at Iwe-Iroyin Press Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital, explaining that the centre is domiciled in the Presidency under the National Security Adviser.
The retired security expert said the need for the conference was to encourage media in partnering with the centre, to join forces in the fight against the crime, particularly as the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
‘The centre’s establishment has since commenced operations by mopping up illicit arms through security agencies especially in the handing over of recovered weapons by the military from ongoing military operations in the North West, North Central and North East to mention just a few”, Akinlade stated.
Penpushing further reports that, he said the centre is expecting the media practitioners towards eradication of illicit arms currently in wrong hands of political thugs, armed bandits and other unpatriotric citizens, not excluding students in various academic institutions
‘The vision statement is to promote illicit arms-free society. The mission is to prevent and control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in collaboration with stakeholders strengthening peace and security in Nigeria’, Akinlade emphasized
Penpushing also reports that he added that objectives of the centre are: to institutionalize small arms and light weapons control at all levels of the polity, to mainstream illicit small arms and light weapons and to domesticate small arms and light weapons in order to engender whole of national approach
The other objectives include, to facilitate wider stakeholder participation in the eradication of illicit small arms and light weapons including key roles for the civil society organisations, and to ensure due compliance with the ECOWAS and United Nations(UN) conventions and protocols on the eradication of the illegal weapons
Penpushing reports that, he stated that in some months past, the centre has commenced sensitization and advocacy with critical stakeholders including the press, civil society organisations, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, international organisations and transport union workers mong others.
‘The centre wants to use the opportunity to also alert the press of some associations parading themselves in the public to be controlling arms as they have put their members on major roads searching vehicles and confronting individuals, as such activities are illegal and should be reported to law enforcement agencies’, he said
Penpushing further reports that, Akinlade stressed the need for all to be vigilant as political campaigns and rallies have commenced, and that use of various forms of small arms and light weapons cannot be ruled out
‘In this regard, movement of political thugs and other criminals should be under watch and close monitoring with a view to reporting group or individuals in possession of illicit arms’, the retired security expert emphasized
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