Drivers, unions join hands against illicit arms movement in Cross River

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

Drivers and transport unions in Cross River State have joined hands with the South-South Zonal Office of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, NCCSALW to stop the spread of illicit small arms and light weapons in Cross River State.

NCCSALW tasked the transport operators to work closely with the Centre to prevent illegal arms from moving through the transport sector to enforce public safety and community security.

Speaking during a sensitization workshop in Calabar, South-South Zonal Coordinator Dr. Alex Ebimiebo described transport operators as indispensable allies in the fight against insecurity.

“Transporters are critical stakeholders that we need to work with. The session aims to raise awareness and strengthen collaboration in preventing the circulation of illegal firearms.

“When we talk about illicit arms, we mean weapons not obtained from authorized sources. In Nigeria, you must have a license issued by the police to legally possess a firearm,” he explained.

He also listed conventional firearms such as AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, and pistols, alongside locally fabricated weapons.

Zonal Legal Adviser Barr. Endurance Asim-Ita warned drivers about the serious consequences of conveying armed passengers saying when apprehended, they will be liable.

Ikechi Emmanuel of Cross Lines Company Limited welcomed the sensitization effort and affirmed that registered transport companies already operate structured security protocols.