Proliferation of small arms, light weapons key drivers of terrorism, separatism –Muhammed

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 (Rtd) has noted that proliferation of small Arms and Light Weapons are key drivers  of terrorism, separatism, banditry, ethno-religious conflicts, amongst others in the country.

AVM Muhammed stated this yesterday,at a one-day sensitization 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, Nigeria  Police, Federal Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary as well as the security and intelligence services and   other stakeholders who have continued to support the Centre.

“This is the first stakeholder sensitization workshop organized 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 proliferation of SALW, particularly in Nigeria, has negatively impacted peace, security and by extension, the socio-economic wellbeing of our dear nation.

“In the last two decades, it has remained a key driver of terrorism, ethno-religious conflicts, Armed banditry, separatism and sundry organized 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 handover SALW collected from criminals after judgement by courts. It is in light of this that the Centre deemed it necessary to sensitize participants of this workshop on the roles and responsibility of the Centre in the handling and retrieving of forfeited SALW.

“The establishment of the NCCSALW by the former President Command-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 was aimed at providing additional verve to the effort 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 proliferation of SALW in Nigeria and the sub-region.

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

“It thus behoves our collective resolve and commitment as we galvanize 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 at this critical area of deliberations.

“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 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, Nigerian Police, 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.