From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons has assured Nigerians, particularly those in the Northwest, of its commitment to checkmate the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the country.
The Zonal Coordinator, Northwest Zone of the Centre, Air Vice Marshal Haruna Umar Mohammed (retired), gave the assurance in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen, yesterday, in Kaduna.
AVM Mohammed said the centre remains the only government body saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the collection, storage, destruction, management and stockpiling of obsolete, seized, unmarked and illegally held small arms and light weapons.
He disclosed that the centre was established in May, 2021, with zonal offices in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.
He said the centre keeps weapons collected from peace accords or programmes, or those voluntarily handed over and as well, create and maintain a national database on all small arms and light weapons.
Mohammed further stated that the centre is domiciled in the office of the National Security Adviser, Abuja, and it replaces the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
“The centre received 760 small arms and light weapons recovered from bandits and criminal elements by the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, in its area of operational responsibility in June 2022.
The handing over took place at 26 Battalion, Giginya Barracks Parade Ground, Sokoto. The weapons were recovered from Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina states, respectively.
“In addition to the arms recovered, over 14,000 ammunition of different calibre were handed over to the centre as well. 0n November 24, 2022, the centre carried out an arms destruction exercise. The by-products of the destroyed weapons are being recycled for other purposes, while on March 15, 2023, there was voluntary surrender of one AK47 rifle, one magazine and 210 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition to the NCCSALW, Northwest Zonal Office in Kaduna,” he confirmed.
The zonal coordinator, however, expressed dismay over the attitude of some unauthorised bodies that are deceitfully parading themselves as the local organisation for the control of illicit small arms and light weapons, as well as creating false impressions of legitimacy and authority.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to disregard these unauthorised bodies and report them to security agencies. He advised citizens to also report any suspected bodies, parading themselves as staff of the centre to the headquarters of the Northwest zonal office, located in Kaduna.