The Federal Government has strengthened its fight against illegal weapons by forging a closer partnership with the Nigerian Army through the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
The move was confirmed on Wednesday, August 27, when the NCCSALW Northeast Zonal Coordinator, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Adamu (retd), paid a courtesy visit to the General Officer Commanding, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.
Speaking during the visit, Adamu warned that the uncontrolled spread of arms fuels insecurity, disrupts communities, and weakens economic activities.
He explained that the centre’s role goes beyond recovery of arms to also include awareness campaigns, prosecution of traffickers, and destruction of confiscated weapons.
“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, comprising the Police, Department of State Services, retired and serving military officers,” Adamu stated.
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He noted that close cooperation with the Nigerian Army was essential to the centre’s mission, adding, “What we are doing is visiting major stakeholders to share intelligence and information.
“Without the armed forces, there is no way we can eradicate the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.”
Adamu commended the Army for its sacrifices in safeguarding citizens and pledged to strengthen collaboration in order to boost national security.
In his remarks, Brig.-Gen. U.V. Unachukwu assured that the Division would give the centre its full backing.
He praised Adamu’s record as a focused officer and applauded the centre’s partnership with security agencies, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders, noting that such synergy would greatly help in curbing the flow of illegal arms.