Centre, Army To Check Arms Proliferation In North East

National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Northeast Zonal Centre, under the Office of the National Security Adviser to the President, has partnered with the Nigerian Army to combat the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the North East region.

During a courtesy visit to Brig-Gen. U.V Unachukwu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Nigerian Army Headquarters in Maiduguri, Maj-:Gen Abubakar Adamu (rtd), the North East zonal coordinator, NCCSALW North East Zonal Centre, said the collaboration was necessary in mopping up small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the Zone.

While stating the negative impact the proliferation of illicit SALW has on peaceful coexistence in the nation and its socio-economic activities, Adamu pledged the centre’s continuous cooperation with the Division, especially in intelligence sharing, which he said, was paramount in preventing the proliferation of this SALW in the country.

“One of our responsibilities is to prevent the proliferation of small Arms and Light Weapons and also to enlighten the people. We are a multi-agency department and we have the police, the DSS, and also retired military officers, as well as serving military officers.

“We have been empowered to receive all illicit small arms and light weapons that have been retrieved from all the agencies, and we are the people responsible for destroying them.

“We are also the only organisation empowered to prosecute gun runners and all the people that have been arrested in terms of dealing with small arms and light weapons.

“What we are doing is to visit major stakeholders and to also share intelligence, information and to collaborate because we know without the armed forces, there is no way we can eradicate the proliferation of small Arms and Light Weapons,” he said.

He further commended the Nigerian Army for always being at the forefront of ensuring that the country is safe for all to live in, promising to strengthen the partnership to make the country a better place.

Responding, Brig.-Gen. U.V Unachukwu promised the Division’s support to the Zonal Centre so as to achieve its mandate while recalling the past records of the Zonal Director as a result-oriented senior officer.

He also commended the Centre for working hand in hand with all the security agencies, traditional rulers and key stakeholders, adding that this would go a long way in mopping up and tackling the proliferation of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons in the country.