Centre Partners Taraba Govt To Mop Up Arms, End Banditry

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Northeast Zonal Centre, under the office of the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, has partnered with the Taraba State Government to curb the menace of the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the country.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, the Northeast zonal director of NCCSALW, Maj-Gen Abubakar Adamu (rtd), said the collaboration with governors would go a long way in curtailing the menace of the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and ending banditry in the country.

“We are here to sensitise and educate the people on the dangers of the use of illicit SALW and also to speak with our stakeholders, particularly all the arms-bearing units, on how we can collaborate to stop the proliferation of these arms in our communities.

“We came here to fashion out and tell the stakeholders our strategies on how to stop the proliferation of SALW, as well as how to stop people from manufacturing or fabricating them,” he said.

The zonal director explained that the Centre was working in collaboration with all stakeholders in the country to mop up all SALW for onward destruction.

According to him, the Centre has been mandated by the federal government to prosecute any individual involved in the proliferation of illicit weapons in the country and is therefore seeking more support and collaboration from all stakeholders.

While highlighting the negative impact of the proliferation of illicit SALW on peaceful coexistence in the nation and its socio-economic activities, he pledged the Centre’s continued cooperation with all stakeholders, especially in intelligence sharing, which he said was paramount in preventing the proliferation of these weapons.

Responding, Governor Kefas, represented by the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, appreciated the Zonal Director for the visit and assured him of the state government’s cooperation in discharging his official duties.

The Governor emphasised the importance of collaboration in maintaining peace and security in the country and pledged the government’s commitment to working closely with the Centre.

Similarly, the Centre paid a courtesy visit to the Commander, 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brig-Gen Kingsley Uwa, for more collaboration and synergy.

In his response, Brig-Gen Uwa stated that the proliferation of SALW fuels violence, undermines peace, and hinders development.

“Addressing it, therefore, requires collective effort from all and sundry, not only from the Armed Forces and security agencies but also from government institutions, communities, civil society, and indeed every citizen,” he said.