- Seeks media, others collaboration
From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has raised alarm on the emergence of some outfits claiming to be focal organisations for anti-weapon proliferation agency in the country.
NCCSALW gave the alarm Monday in a statement by its North East Zonal Coordinator, Rear Admiral Abdulrahman Mohammed (retd).
“Some unscrupulous and unauthorized outfits have emerged, deceitfully presenting themselves as the focal organizations for the control of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons, creating false impressions of legitimacy and authority of the National Center,” he disclosed.
He said the action of such unauthorized bodies discovered recently, were capable of compounding the already complex task of small arms and light weapons control.
He noted that the activities of the false outfits may also cause confusion and a lack of credibility for NCCSALW. He said such development could lead to administrative and legal disputes, hindering the core mandate of the centre.
The coordinator appealed for the collaboration of the media and other stakeholders to ensure the success of control and prevention of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country.
Established in May 2021 to strengthen peace and security by ensuring an arms-free society, the centre said it has recorded some successes in its two years of existence.
“The centre has sustained collaboration and synergy with other stakeholders and action security agencies in identifying, profiling, arrest and prosecution of arms traffickers within the Zone,” Mohammed disclosed.
He said the effort has helped in reducing the menace of illicit arms proliferation in the northeast and Nigeria.