Arms Control Centre Says More Nigerians Acquiring Illegal Arms, Weapons

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has raised the alarm that more citizens were acquiring illegal arms and light weapons in Nigeria.

The Zonal Coordinator of the centre in Maiduguri, retired Rear Adm. Abdulrahman Mohammed (rtd), stated this in a statement signed by the Assistant Director Operations of the centre, ACP Saleh Samaila.

”It has been observed recently that some unscrupulous and unauthorised outfits have emerged, deceitfully presenting themselves as the focal organisations for the control of illicit small arms and light weapons, creating false impressions of legitimacy and authority of the national centre.

“The action of these unauthorised bodies have the propensity to further compound the already complex task of small arms and light weapons control.

“It may potentially result in confusion and lack of credibility leading to administrative and legal disputes which may hinder the centre to effectively carry out its mandate,” Mohammed said.

Mohammed advised all stakeholders and partners to operate within legal boundaries, adding that the centre remains the only government body charged with the responsibility to checkmate proliferation of small arms.

He urged the media as an important partner in the campaign against Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) proliferation, to be vigilant and avoid the projection of such unlawful outfits.

The centre was set on May 3, 2021 by an Executive directive by former President Muhammadu Buhari in line with the Article 24 of ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons.