The Director-General, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) Johnson Babatunde Kokumo has called on critical stakeholders to join hands with the agency in the fight against the menace in Nigeria.
He noted that the alarming rate of violent crime in society is driven by the proliferation of illicit arms, adding that the ugly development has done serious harm to the society.
He made the call on Wednesday in Enugu during a familiarisation working visit to the South East Zonal office of the establishment.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, in June this year, assented to the Act that gave the agency legal backing to operate.
According to him, the issue of illegal arms proliferation has remained a cog in the wheel of progress of nations around the globe, including Nigeria. Hence, international bodies such as the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and ECOWAS, amongst others, have equally identified it as a driver of violent crime in society.
The D-G hinted that, following the legal backing, the agency now has the powers to investigate, arrest, and prosecute offenders in court.
He however, thanked the Enugu State government for its support to the organisation since inception.
The director general said, “Am here today for a familiarization and of course, working visit to the South East Zonal office to see things for myself, with a view to getting back to see what we can further put in place for the Centre to function most appropriately.
“So, I bring you good tidings from the office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
“Proliferation of small arms and light weapons in all societies have been identified as the main driver of violent crimes across the board.
“ECOWAS, United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and other international and Regional bodies recognize it as a global and continental security threat.”
The NCCSALW leader used the forum to advise members of the public not to fall prey to some criminal elements who have been going about impersonating the Staff of the agency.
Kokumo, further hinted that the impostors were initially going about deceiving members of the public that they are officials of a taskforce of the agency operating under the name, NATFORCE, and later metamorphosed into another name NATCOM, after they were dislodged.
He vowed that the agency would not rest on its oars until the nation is rid of illicit arms and light weapons.
Earlier in his welcome remark, the South East Zonal Coordinator of the organisation, Major General 0kechukwu Nkem Ugo (Rtd), said, “As we all know, the Federal Government of Nigeria authorized the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of SALW on 3rd May 2021.
“ This move was to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to the provisions of Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on SALW which requires each of its 15 member states to establish national institutions to promote multilateral approach to stamping out illicit arms trade in the West African Sub-region.
“Since its establishment, this Centre has hit the ground running. With its National Headquarters in Abuja under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Centre now has 6 active Zonal Offices.
“May I use this opportunity to formally congratulate the Director General (NCCSALW), DIG Babatunde Johnson Kokumo (Rtd), on your well-deserved appointment to steer the ship of this Centre at this critical point in our national life.
“It must be placed on record that your tenure so far has been positively eventful; seeing the Centre leap from height to height.
“ Within the short period of your leadership, the Centre has been properly positioned with the requisite legal backing from the National Assembly and assent from the President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act 2024 is today a reality. Well done Sir. Many cases that involve illegal possession of arms are being investigated and prosecuted by the Centre in the courts of our land as deterrence to others”.
“Let me also appreciate the presence of our critical stakeholders, heads of security agencies, civil society organisations and members of the fourth realm of the estate for joining us today.
“Thousands of recovered illicit SALW have also been destroyed to prevent their recirculation making our society much safer. You are doing great and we remain committed to helping you achieve your laudable vision for the Centre.
“Sir, today you have scored another first, being the first Director General of the Centre to visit the SE Zonal Office. We are greatly inspired by this your visit and promise to do more to justify the confidence reposed in us.
“The South East Zonal Office, established with the other zonal offices, in March 2022, has continued to make modest efforts to actualise the vision, mission and objectives of the NCCSALW in the Southeastern Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria even in the face of very hostile security environment,” he said.
He added that “The Zonal Office has been able to establish a temporary office at Enugu and continues to discharge all responsibilities assigned to it as necessary.
“We have carried out series of sensitization visits, workshops and seminars to seek for collaboration and cooperation from our stakeholders as well as educate the populace about the ills of the proliferation of SALW.
“We have continued to enhance the human capacity of our staff through in-house and external training opportunities,” he added.
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