The South-East Zonal Coordinator of the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light weapons, (SALW) Major General Okechukwu Ugo (Rtd) has disclosed that over 6,000 illicit and obsolete small arms and light weapons have been recovered and destroyed from various security agencies and operational theatres around the country.
“These recoveries and destruction exercises, which are in line with UN conventions, have contributed immensely to prevent the recycling of these illicit arms back into our society,” General Ugo stated.
He made the disclosure at a one-day seminar on the control of proliferation of small arms and illicit weapons held in Enugu where he noted that the exercises have contributed immensely to enhance the safety and security in Nigeria and globally.
Gen. Ugo pointed out that the Centre, realising the need for sub-regional, regional and global partnerships in the fight against the menace of illicit arms, has engaged and continues to engage various international stakeholders in the field.
He recalled that the Centre recently hosted representatives of all countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission to a two-day conference in Abuja where participants fashioned out ways of sharing intelligence to ensure that cross-border trafficking and illicit trade of small arms and light weapons are checkmated.
The Centre, he added, also participates in various regional and global fora on SALW under the auspices of ECOWAS, AU and UN regularly to ensure that Nigeria conforms to global best practices in this regard.
“The Southeast Zonal Office, which I am privileged to be its pioneer Zonal Coordinator, has continued to support the National Headquarters to achieve the overall vision, mission and objectives of the Centre.
“The SE Zonal Office has been carrying out necessary awareness campaigns via radio and television jingles as well as engagements with critical stakeholders from different segments of the society,” the retired general said.
He listed the stakeholders to include traditional rulers, leaders of faith-based organisations, journalists, youth groups and many others.
“We have also contributed our quota in the retrieval of obsolete and illicit arms from units and formations within our area of responsibility as well as sharing of intelligence with relevant stakeholders,” he said.
The Southeast Zonal Commander commended the Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for the continuous support of his government in allocating a sizeable plot of land for the construction of our permanent office complex within Enugu metropolis as well as other technical aids.
He further hailed the Chief of Army Staff, through the GOC, 82 Division for providing the plot of land for the construction of armoury and other administrative and operational supports.
While seeking more operational cooperation, General Ugo thanked security agencies in Enugu and other states in the zone for their cooperation and collaboration.
He stressed that the theme of the seminar: “Multi-sectoral Synergy Towards the Control of Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria” has been carefully chosen to bring forth the urgent need for collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders against the spread of illicit arms.
“It is believed that interactions and discussions within this august gathering of eminent and erudite personalities in the security sector would engender positive ideas towards making our region and the whole nation much safer,” he stated.
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