The Niger State Government has pledged stronger support for the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) as part of efforts to curb the proliferation of illicit arms and ammunition fueling insecurity across the country.
Governor Umaru Bago gave the assurance when he received the Director-General and National Coordinator of the NCCSALW, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (Rtd.), who led senior officials of the Centre, including the North Central Zonal Director, Abdullahi Eneche, on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Minna.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, Bago commended the collaboration between the state government and the Centre since the establishment of its North Central Zonal Office in Minna.
The governor said the fight against arms proliferation must not be left to the NCCSALW alone, assuring the Centre of the state government’s continued support and provision of facilities needed to effectively carry out its mandate.
Bago noted that Niger State faces serious security challenges, including banditry and other social vices, which threaten the safety and wellbeing of residents.
He consequently directed the State Ministry of Lands to work out arrangements for providing suitable land for the establishment of a permanent state office for the Centre.
The NCCSALW Director-General, Kokumo, earlier commended the governor for his support and commitment to the Centre’s operations. He specifically acknowledged Bago’s role in facilitating the land that enabled the establishment of the Centre’s North Central Zonal Office in Minna.
Kokumo said his visit was aimed at familiarising himself with the state and engaging relevant stakeholders on ways to collectively address the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
He described illicit arms as a major driver of violent crimes across Nigeria, stressing that removing illegal weapons from the hands of unauthorised individuals and non-state actors would significantly reduce violent crime.
Although he acknowledged the challenges involved, Kokumo expressed confidence that the objective of building a society free from illicit arms remains achievable through sustained collaboration among government agencies and other stakeholders.
The renewed commitment comes against the backdrop of ongoing security challenges in Niger State, where security agencies have continued operations against banditry and other criminal activities. The state police recently reported the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other weapons during a clearance operation in Rijau Local Government Area.
The latest pledge is expected to strengthen cooperation between the Niger State Government and the NCCSALW in tackling the circulation of illicit firearms and addressing one of the key factors contributing to insecurity in the state and across the country.
