Centre vows to checkmate proliferation of illicit weapons in Nigeria

From: Femi Oyelola, 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 Zone Coordinator, Northwest Zone of the Center, Air Vice Marshal Haruna Umar Mohammed (retired) gave the assurance in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna yesterday.
AVM Mohammed, the Center 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.
AVM Mohammed, explained that the Center keeps weapons collected from peace accords or programs, 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 Center is domiciled in the office of the National Security Adviser, Abuja and it replaces the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
“He recalled that the Center received 760 small arms and light weapons recovered from the bandits and criminal elements by the 8 Division Nigerian Army Sokoto in its Area of Operational Responsibility in June 2022.
According to him the handing over took place at 26 Battalions, 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 Center as well.
“0n the 24th November, 2022, the Centre carried out an arm destruction exercise. The by-products of the destroyed weapons are recycled for other purposes while on March 15th, 2023, there was a voluntary surrender of one (1) AK47 rifle, one (1) magazine and two hundred and ten (210) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition to the NCCSALW, Northwest Zonal Office in Kaduna”.