Proliferation of small arms fuels terrorism, separatism – NCCSALW

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

The Zonal Coordinator, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, North West Zonal Office, AVM Umar Haruna Muhammed (retd), has noted that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) is a key driver of terrorism, separatism, banditry, and ethno-religious conflicts in the country.

AVM Muhammed stated this on Wednesday at a one-day sensitisation workshop with the theme: “Addressing Challenges of Retrieval of Small Arms and Light Weapons after Recovery and Court Judgement.”

Participants were drawn from the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, security and intelligence services, and other stakeholders supporting the Centre.

“This is the first stakeholder sensitisation workshop organised by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) North West Zonal Office after the signing of the NCCSALW Establishment Act 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that the proliferation of SALW, particularly in Nigeria, has negatively impacted peace, security, and, by extension, the socio-economic well-being of our dear nation.

“In the last two decades, it has remained a key driver of terrorism, ethno-religious conflicts, armed banditry, separatism, and other organised criminal activities within and across our borders. It is also a judicial notice that the Nigerian courts are the final place where arms and ammunition cases are terminated.

“However, experience has shown that there is no unifying procedure on where to hand over SALW collected from criminals after court judgments. It is in light of this that the Centre deemed it necessary to sensitise participants of this workshop on the roles and responsibilities of the Centre in handling and retrieving forfeited SALW.

“The establishment of the NCCSALW by the former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, in May 2021, as well as the assenting to the Bill by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was a national response to this challenge and aimed at providing additional verve to the efforts already made by the erstwhile Presidential Committee on SALW (PRESECOM).

“This action was imperative as the need to engage international partners with the right institutional framework had become vital to the much-needed multilateral effort to successfully combat the proliferation of SALW in Nigeria and the sub-region.

“The Centre recognises the enormous challenge ahead of it and the expectations of Nigerians and the international community alike. It is also aware that this will be a protracted and dynamic programme of action and will be a failed effort without stakeholders’ collaboration.

“It thus behoves our collective resolve and commitment as we galvanise multilateral and bilateral efforts in this direction, working in accordance with all international instruments and protocols to which Nigeria is a signatory. Indeed, the Centre can only achieve this if it is given the requisite capacity to deliver on this onerous mandate.

“On this note, let me reiterate that it is our fervent belief that by committing to support the NCCSALW in these aforementioned areas, you will be enhancing state capacity to combat the threat of forfeited SALW proliferation for the collective good of Nigeria, the sub-region, and our global society, as you have always done.

“I most respectfully appreciate your esteemed presence with us in this critical area of deliberation.

“The NCCSALW was established in May 2021 as part of a wider national response to the escalating menace of the proliferation of illicit SALW in the country and the West African sub-region. It is also gratifying to note that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria has given assent to the SALW Bill on 4th June 2024.

“I want to thank our partners, especially the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, as well as the security and intelligence services and all other stakeholders who have continued to support the Centre,” AVM Muhammed said.