NCCSALW seeks public cooperation in eradicating small arms proliferation
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), has called for public support in order to combat the proliferation of illicit arms in the country.
The centre’s South West, Zonal Coordinator, Mr Ben Akinlade, made the call on Monday during a sensitisation and awareness lecture to members of the National Youth Service Corps Orientation (NYSC), camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.
Akinlade, who is also a retired Director, Internal Security enjoined veterans of the armed forces, to be on the lookout for illegal groups who proliferate these arms.
“Your presence in your environment should serve as no-go-areas to miscreants and unscrupulous persons in order to put them in check and stop their activities in the society.
“Therefore, if you come across anyone in possession of illicit weapons or their fabricators in your domains, always speak out and report to the appropriate or nearest security agency.
“Remember the slogan ‘If You See Something, Say Something’,” he said.
Akinlade said that the centre at the national level had received large number of illicit arms recovered from clearing operations by the military, Nigerian Police and other security agencies.
“Recently, the Nigerian Customs also handed over 900 illegally imported automatic firearms from Turkey at Onne Port, Rivers and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos to the centre.
“These illicit arms are being profiled and destroyed so as not to get back to the society through unpatriotic citizens,” he said.
The coordinator said that firearms recovered by the national centre could not find it’s way back to the society because they were immediately destroyed.
“Aside the fact that recovered firearms are subjected to immediate destruction at the central level, all zonal offices have automated armouries that are not within the reach of hoodlums.
“This is because most armouries are cited in military barracks therefore, be rest assured that any arms so recovered or submitted to the centre are well kept for necessary action,” he said.
Akinlade observed that in recent times, some unscrupulous and unauthorised outfits were deceitfully presenting themselves as the focal organisations for the control of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs).
“Notable among these illegal organisations are National Task Force (NATFORCE) and the National Commission Against the Proliferation of Arms, Light Weapons and Ammunitions (NATCOM).
“These organisations have been creating false impressions of the legitimacy and authority of the national centre and have gone as far as collecting money from members of the public seeking employment.
“Presently, their ring leader who was parading himself as the director general, NATCOM has been apprehended and is currently facing the wrath of the law,” he said.
The zonal coordinator said that these unauthorised bodies had the propensity to further compound the already complex task of SALWs control.
Akinlade said that this could potentially result in confusion and a lack of credibility leading to administrative and legal disputes, which may hinder NCCSALW from effectively carrying out its mandate.
“Therefore, I urge and solicit your cooperation in the battle against proliferation of SALWs in our nation,” the south west coordinator said.
