Expert Seeks Collaboration Against Firearms Proliferation

Regional vice president of the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), Mr Igwe Martin, has called for stakeholders’ collaboration against the proliferation of firearms.

Martin said this when he spoke with journalists in Ibadan after the end of a two-day security assessment tour, which was part of the preparation for a youth reorientation conference in southern states.

He said  it would be catastrophic if nothing were done to drastically reduce or stop the flow of firearms among the youths in the country.

“On our part we are working on reorientation programmes for the youths in the West African region and we are reaching out to the state governments in Nigeria to be part of this agenda to reduce arms  flow and enhance peaceful society.

‘’There cannot be any meaningful progress when there is no peace ,conflict, know tribe or political parties, traditional rulers   and other relevant stakeholders must rise up to the task and ensure control and disabuse the minds of the youths against the use of firearms.

“We are reaching out to relevant government and non-governmental agencies to achieve our goal of reducing proliferation of arms in Nigeria and that is the reason why I am in Oyo State”

The security campaigner said he was impressed by the performance of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in security and other aspects.

He said, ‘’I am impressed with the performance of Governor Seyi Makinde, especially in the area of peace and security.

“Oyo State is relatively peaceful compared to many states in Nigeria and I think Governor Makinde should  teach other governors how to achieve such feats in their states too”.

He, however, called on all other stakeholders to continue to collaborate with the government in ensuring a peaceful state.