The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) says it has made significant progress in reducing the proliferation of illicit arms and weapons in Nigeria.
The Director-General of the Centre, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd.), stated this during an official visit to the North Central Zonal Office of the NCCSALW in Minna, Niger State.
Kokumo said the Centre had identified major sources of illicit weapons in the country and was working with relevant government agencies to address the problem.
He identified external sources, diversion from legal stockpiles and local production as the three major sources of illicit arms proliferation.
According to him, the Centre is working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other border security agencies to prevent the movement of illegal weapons into the country.
Non -State Actors
Kokumo added that the Centre was monitoring local artisans and craftsmen who produce weapons to ensure that their activities remain within the law and that weapons do not get into the hands of criminal groups and other non-state actors.
He said the Centre also destroys illicit weapons recovered from criminals or intercepted by security agencies and handed over to it.
He also noted that the Centre had enjoyed strong cooperation with other government agencies in its efforts to control the spread of illicit arms.
The Director-General said the Centre, which was established in 2021, received legal backing after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assented to the law establishing it on June 4, 2024.
Also speaking, the Zonal Director of the North Central Zone, Dr Drdul Adamu Eneche, said the Centre had so far recovered more than 3,292 illicit arms and weapons from non-state actors across the zone.
The Centre said it would continue to work with security agencies and other stakeholders to reduce the circulation of illicit weapons and strengthen security across the country.
