In a bid to stem the tide of insecurity in the country, the Federal Government has ordered a clampdown on local fabricators of arms and weapons towards containing the spread of illicit arms and ammunition.
The South West Zonal Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW). Mr. Sola Akinlade disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
Akinlade said that the moves became necessary against the backdrop of the proliferation of small arms and weapons which he said has become a huge threat to the country’s security.
He described easy access to arms as the key driver for kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism, adding that insecurity in the country was a result of the push-and-pull effect of arms movement.
He warned Nigerians against possession of unauthorised arms and light weapons, noting that defaulters risk sanction and prosecution no matter how highly placed in the society.
He said: “The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has noticed the increased activities of unauthorized organizations taking over its responsibilities of controlling illicit arms in circulation among criminal elements.
“It has been observed recently that some unscrupulous and unauthorized outfits have emerged, deceitfully presenting themselves as the focal organizations for the control of illicit small arms and light weapons, creating false impressions of the legitimacy and authority of the National Centre.
“The action of these unauthorized bodies has the propensity to further compound the already complex task of small arms and light weapons control and may potentially result in confusion and a lack of credibility leading to administrative and legal disputes, which may hinder the Centre from effectively carrying out its mandate.
“The National Centre for the control of Small Arms and Light Weapons was established under the Office of the National Security Adviser by former President Muhammadu Buhari on 3rd May 2021 as the sole agency mandated to prevent and control the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in collaboration with stakeholders towards strengthening peace and security in Nigeria with the center’s staff drawn from personnel of the Nigeria Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigeria Police, Department of state services, and other security agencies”.
