The National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has called on the Nigerian Army to assist the centre in arresting criminals who have been parading themselves and usurping the functions of NCCSALW in different parts of the country.
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) was established on 3rd May 2021 by an Executive directive of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR. This is in line with Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
NCCSALW National Coordinator, DIG Johnson Kokumo (Rtd) made the call when he led his management team on a courtesy call on the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja on Tuesday, 11 June 2024 in Abuja.
According to Mr Kokumo the leader of one of such illegal bodies known as NatCom had been arrested and remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre for undertaking illegal activities.
The National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) also solicited the support of the Army in tackling the menace of illicit arms proliferation in the country.
"We need the support of the army, particularly in tackling activities of some illegal outfits claiming to be fighting the proliferation of illicit arms in the country," he said
Mr Kokumo while commending the Nigerian Army for providing storage facilities available for the centre in all the six geopolitical zones across the country, added that the army had assisted NCCSALW in being effective since its establishment.
“The centre has been privileged to have some competent army officers serving in different capacities, and we are requesting more of such hands,” he said
Responding, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja commended the centre for its efforts in combating the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.
Mr Lagbaja promised to support the centre and ensure that army formations were available for NCCSALW’s effective functioning.
He assured the NCCSALW of the army’s commitment to collaborate and support their efforts towards achieving the objective of ridding the nation of illicit arms, adding that illegal arms were major drivers of violent extremism.
"The army will continue to implement measures to ensure that weapons in the possession of army personnel don’t fall into the wrong hands," he said
The COAS also noted that the Nigerian Army only recognised NCCSALW as the only legal body charged with such responsibility.
He added that army troops had been directed to dismantle all illegal checkpoints set up by the unlawful bodies wherever they exist.
The vision of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) is to promote an illicit arms-free society. The NCCSALW is set to enhance collaborative efforts with local and international partners, ensuring that strategies are robust, inclusive and effective.
