- Claims it’s undermining Nigeria security, hampering progress
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has expressed concerns over the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.
He described the menace as a scourge that is undermining security, hampering progress, and eroding the very foundation of Nigeria.
Ribadu spoke in Abuja on Thursday at a roundtable meeting with stakeholders on the threat in the country organised by National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light light Weapons (NCCSALW) in collaboration with Mines Advisory Group.
Represented by Amb MA Ahmed, his Special Assistant on Special Duties, Ribadu expressed optimistism that the stage for a future where peace prevails, and threat of small arms and light weapons will be a shadow of the past.
His words: “NCCSALW stands at a critical juncture, where the support and collaboration of all stakeholders are not just beneficial but essential.
“The proliferation of small arms and light weapons is a scourge that undermines our security, hampers our progress, and erodes the very foundation of our society. It is a challenge that no single entity can combat alone, hence, this roundtable.
“This is the second of its kind. At the first roundtable in 2021, a few commitments were made by some of you on the table today but unfortunately, not all have been delivered.
“As we engage in discussions today, let us be guided by the urgency of our mission and the knowledge that the success of the NCCSALW is intrinsically linked to the security and prosperity of our society as whole.
“Each perspective shared, each commitment made, and each partnership forged here is a reminder of previous commitments and will serve as a building block towards a robust and resilient framework for SALW control,” he noted.
Challenging the participants, he said: “I urge you, esteemed partners, to lend your support wholeheartedly. Whether it is through policy advocacy, resource allocation, or operational collaboration, your contribution is a lifeline that will empower the Centre to achieve its mandate.
“Let me conclude by extending my deepest appreciation to everyone seated here for your commitment to this cause. I am hoping that after this meeting, we would have set the stage for a future where peace prevails, and the threat of small arms and light weapons is but a shadow of the past,” he said.
Earlier, the collaborators, Mines Advisory Group, while enumerating the fight against small arms and light weapons disclosed that over 3000 weapons have been destroyed.
“We have trained more than 400 security sector staff on weapons and ammunition management, in line with international standards, we have destroyed more than 3,000 weapons.
“We have also built or rehabilitated 19 key infrastructures such as armories- across the country. In doing so, we have contributed to ensuring that the flow of weapons, is better monitored, and that the safe storage of these items follows best international practices. This will significantly lessen the risks of diversion or poaching of the weapons.
“A year ago exactly, under the OCWART project; we were together in Kaduna to destroy more than 2,170 items of SALW in one week.
“Beyond the training and the capacity development offered to the Center and other actors such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Customs Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Police Force, I believe that events like these send strong messages to the population,” he said.
Itemising the target to achieve with the meeting, the National Coordinator NCCSALW, Major General Abba Mohammed Dikko (retd), said: “Our objectives are clear and focused. We seek to enhance collaboration with national and international stakeholders, to provide a platform for meaningful interaction, and to explore opportunities for capacity building and technical assistance.
“These objectives align with our strategic goal of eradicating the scourge of illicit arms, thereby safeguarding our nation’s security and facilitating the socio-economic development that our people rightly deserve.
“Key future strategies pivotal to this mission include enhancing personnel skills through targeted training in security management and disarmament. We are also planning an advanced ICT setup for a national database of SALW to unify and streamline inventory management.
“Furthermore, our collaboration with stakeholders needs to be strengthened for advocacy and awareness, alongside ongoing capacity-building initiatives at various levels to ensure we remain at the forefront of SALW regulations and practices.
“A crucial step forward, however, will be the Presidential assent to the Centre’s Bill, which is anticipated to provide the legal authority necessary for better operational effectiveness.
As we proceed with today’s agenda, I urge us all to engage fully in the discussions. I am confident that the outcomes of this roundtable will significantly contribute to the emergence of a more robust institution and actions,” he said.