FG to retrieve arms, ammunition from Boko Haram ex-combatants

Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

The National Center for the Coordination of Small and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) may soon commence mopping up small arms and light weapons from Boko Haram ex-combatants.

This is coming on the heels of the mass surrender of the insurgents across the state in recent months.

There are about 100,000 of them now reintegrated in their home communities, according to military authorities and Borno State government.

The North-East Zonal Coordinator of the Center, Rear Admiral S A Mohammed, who led a team of the Center’s Zonal Office officials on a courtesy call on the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Kanemi, in Maiduguri, announced that the Center is fine-tuning strategies for the purpose.

Mohammed said the Center is mandated to mop up small arms and light weapons from non-state actors and terrorists.

He appreciated the support rendered by the royal father in the fight against terrorism, and appealed to him to contribute in the Center’s periodic advocacy to facilitate the successful discharge of its mandate. 

Responding, the Shehu of Borno, asked the Zonal Office of the Center not to be deterred in the task ahead of it by whatever force.

He particularly drew the attention of the Center to the fact that Borno shares international borders with three countries – Niger, Chad and Cameroon, which, he observed, contributed greatly to the snuggling and proliferation of arms into Nigeria.

In his comments, the District Head of Damboa, Alhaji Zanna Lawan, advised the Center to design a wide advocacy around the rural areas of the state to facilitate the discharge of its duty.