By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSLAW), on Friday destroyed over 2,800 illicit firearms in its fifth high-profile arms destruction exercise in Abuja.

This represents a major step in the efforts of the Federal Government in its fight against violent crimes and terrorism.

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, described the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons as a major threat to national security and a key driver of violent crimes, terrorism, and insecurity.

Ribadu represented by the Director of Defence Affairs, Office of the NSA, Maj.-Gen. Hillary Mabeokwu, said the federal government was determined to confront the complex challenges of controlling the flow of illicit firearms.

He noted that the NCCSLAW was established in 2021 as an institutional platform to combat small arms proliferation.

“The centre provides a structural framework to tackle national security threats in line with international protocols, including Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons,” he said.

The NSA also hailed the passage of the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act 2024, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, as a landmark step toward achieving an Illicit-arms-free Nigeria.

“This Act provides the legal foundation for the centre to discharge its mandate more robustly and effectively,” he added.

In his remarks, retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, Director General, NCCSLAW, said the weapons destruction exercise represented a practical demonstration of the centre’s commitment to curbing the proliferation of illicit arms and promoting regional peace and security.

Kokumo revealed that over 16,000 illicit, decommissioned, and obsolete weapons have been destroyed since the centre’s inception, with 2,800 firearms destroyed during Friday’s exercise.

He explained that the weapons destroyed which include locally fabricated arms, were recovered from police commands nationwide, as well as from military and other security agencies.

“This exercise underscores our adherence to international standards, including the ECOWAS Convention and the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms,” he said.

Kokumo called on citizens to support security agencies by providing timely information on criminal activities, stressing that public cooperation was essential for the government to ensure peace and security for all Nigerians.

The exercise attracted top security officials, representatives of service chiefs, heads of government agencies, ECOWAS delegates, civil society actors, service corps members, and members of the press. (NAN)

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