By Oluseye Ojo
The Federal Government has mopped up more than 14,000 illicit guns in less than three years, towards controlling small arms and light weapons in circulation across the country.
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), established under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) by the Federal Government in 2021 made the disclosure yesterday.
South-West Zonal Coordinator of the agency,, Sola Akinlade, released the information during a familiarisation visit to the Iyaganku, Ibadan Press Centre of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, where he was received by the Chairman of NUJ in the state, Chief Ademola Babalola, and his executive members.
He said the guns were recovered by the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police during clearance operations and after some litigations. Efforts, he said, were on top gear to mop up more illicit weapons in circulation.
His words: “The Nigerian Army has handed over about 10,000 weapons from various clearance operations across the nation to the Centre, which have been destroyed through melting. Likewise, over 4,000 illicit weapons were received from the Nigeria Police and destroyed by the Centre.
“The weapons were those compiled from various State Commands after completion of their court cases. Efforts are underway to receive recovered weapons from the Nigerian Air Force, while the Nigerian Navy and the Operation Deita Safe are already compiling seized illicit weapons for onward transmission to the National Centre for destruction.”
Akinlade added that the Centre is profiling all blacksmiths, who are engaging in the fabrication of the illicit weapons with a view to persuading them to desist from the criminal activities.
“The locally fabricated weapons are believed to be easily acquired than the imported ones which are more costly and not easily procured by the criminals.
“However, the increase in the spate of violence crimes in the zone, especially the recent kidnapping and killing of traditional rulers in Ekiti State necessitates more collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the war against proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons.”
Akinlade added that “this and many more are the reasons why the media is being urged to support the Centre in its advocacy and sensitisation drive of the members of the public on the bane of illicit possession of firearms in our society.”
He also raised the issue of increased activities of unauthorised and unscrupulous organisations, parading themselves as the focal organisations for the control of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons.