The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has disclosed that it has recovered over 10,000 illegal arms and light weapons from non-state actors in various operations in a bid to ensure violence-free elections in the country.
The National Coordinator of the Centre, Major-General Abba Dikko (rtd), who disclosed this while briefing newsmen yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State.
He said the recovery, was part of on-going efforts of the Centre to stop the circulation of illicit firearms in the country, particularly during this year’s general elections.
According to him, the centre is determined to ensure that only authorized persons possess weapons targeting at ensuring violence and criminalities are reduced to minimum level during the conduct of 2023 general elections.
“Not less than 10,000 small arms and light weapons were recovered from the hands of non-State actors, insurgents, bandits in various theatres of operations and also the police.
“So far, we have recovered over 10,000 small arms, weapons to ensure violence free elections”.
“We are doing all these in order to remove illicit weapons from circulation which not targeted at a peaceful election but targeted at violence and criminalities is reduced to the barest minimum across Nigeria”.
Dikko reiterated the commitment of the Centre in identifying and breaking the supply chain of the gun runners in Nigeria.
He appealed to help the Centre in the fight against circulation of illicit arms and weapons, saying that “it is a collective responsibility and efforts must be sustained, especially by members of the media in this fight against the spread of small arms and light weapons in our society”.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai, Major-General Waidi Shaibu, has affirmed that proliferation of small arms and light weapons remained a critical factor in armed conflict, displacement of people, and acts of terrorism.
According to him, small arms and light weapons also undermine peace, reconciliation, safety, security, stability and sustainable social and economic development, as outlined in the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development.
He disclosed this when the National Coordinator (NC), National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Major General Abba Dikko (rtd) paid him a courtesy visit at the Headquarters, 7 Division, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
General Shaibu observed that the ongoing insurgency in the north east was partly fanned by the prevalence of small arms and light weapons in the region, occasioned by the numerous porous borders with neighboring countries.
The GOC noted that porous borders, had several routes and pathways, some which even stretched all the way up to the Central African Republic, aiding tha the activities of criminals who dealt in the proliferation of small arms and light weapons are high there.
He assured that the Division was always ready, committed and fully focused to supporting the Centre in any capacity required.
General Shaibu thanked the NC and his team for the visit and promised the delegation that the Division would fully cooperate with the Center to achieve its mandate in curtailing the influx of small arms and light weapons into the Country.
This, he narrated, would impact positively on the military’s efforts at decisively curtailing the on-going insurgency.
Earlier in his address, Major General Abba Dikko (rtd) commended the Nigerian Army for its support and collaboration in containing the influx of small arms and light weapons into Nigeria.
General Dikko applauded the Nigerian Army for its commitment and diligence in helping the Centre rid the nation of small arms and light weapons through robust collaborative efforts, mutual synergy and proactive intelligence gathering.
He appreciated the Chief of Army Staff for the approval of land within the Cantonment for the construction of a facility for the Centre.
The NC revealed that the facility, which would be constructed by a reputable organization, would be capable of weapons construction and repairs, as well as reconstruction of damaged weapons, amongst others.
He also added that the Centre was currently scouting for talented artisans and craftsmen who would be empowered and absolved into the Center, in varying capacities.
