Nigeria Arms Control Centre Says it Has Recovered 3,000 Arms In 18 Months

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) says it recovered over 3,000 illegal arms in the last 18 months.

The national coordinator of the centre, Abba Dikko made this known on Wednesday in Kaduna.

Dikko explained that the recovery was part of ongoing efforts to stop the proliferation of illicit firearms in the country.

He added that the recovered arms would be destroyed in Kaduna on Thursday while reiterating the determination of the centre in ensuring that only authorised persons possess firearms in the country.

He said the illegal acquisition of firearms has contributed immensely to the security challenges in Nigeria.

“Since the take-off of the centre in May 2021, tremendous achievements have been recorded and landmark progress made and within the period under review over 3000 arms were recovered,” Dikko said.

“We are at the moment under the guidance of the national security adviser before the bill for our establishment is passed into law to fulfil the mandate of the ECOWAS charter of 2006, which Nigeria was a signatory nation”, he said.