From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has expressed concerns over the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.
The chairman, House Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Aliyu Bappa Misau, said the development was fuelling violence and instability in the communities, and causing humanitarian issues.
Misau, who stated this during an oversight visit by the committee to the Defence Headquarters, in Abuja, yesterday, said there was a need for the military and the parliament to work together to address the menace.
The lawmaker, while affirming the commitment of his committee to take measures aimed at tackling the menace, also said there was a need to explore international collaboration to combat it.
According to him, “Our committee is dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of small arms proliferation in our beloved country Nigeria. As we are all aware, the issue of small arms and light weapons is not merely a matter of national security; it is a pressing humanitarian concern that affects everyday life of our citizens.
“The escalation of proliferation of these weapons has far-reaching consequences, contributing to erosion of trust within our communities, violence and instability.
“It is our collective responsibility to address the challenge with urgency and resolve. We believe that a harmonious working relationship between the legislature and the armed forces is crucial in addressing this challenge. By pulling our resources, expertise and knowledge together, we can develop innovative solutions to the problems posed by small arms and light weapons.”
Misau added that, “the global nature of arms trafficking necessitates that we work hand in hand with other nations to secure our porous borders and organisations to combat this issue. By aligning our efforts with international standards and best practices, we can strengthen our resolve and effectiveness.”
The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Musa, in his response, observed that the nature of Nigeria’s borders was a factor in the security challenges confronting the country.
Musa, who was represented by the Chief of Policy, Defence Headquarters, Air vice Marshall Sayo Olatunde, said there was the need to fence the country’s borders.
He said: “We need to address our problems from the root. Yes we have to fence our borders. Porous borders are one of the critical drivers of insecurity in Nigeria. We have neighbours and countries that are not stable around Nigeria”.