By Aaior K. Comfort

The National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) is set to destroy more than 30,000 decommissioned, unserviceable, and illicit arms and ammunition by the end of September. This includes 3,383 arms and 26,749 rounds of ammunition.

The weapons, sourced from various arms-bearing agencies including the Nigerian Army, Police, and others, will be destroyed in a critical exercise aimed at permanently removing them from circulation. The announcement was made in Abuja on Tuesday during a workshop focused on gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria and West Africa.

DIG Johnson Kokumo (retd.), the National Coordinator of NCCSALW, detailed that the arms and ammunition come from the Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Defence Intelligence Agency, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Security & Civil Defence Corps, and Nigeria Customs Service.

Kokumo emphasized that controlling the proliferation of small arms and light weapons is crucial not only for national security but also for global stability. He highlighted the devastating effects of illegal arms flow, particularly on women and children, and called for a gender-sensitive approach to disarmament and security policies.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, underscored the significance of the president’s assent to the bill establishing the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons. Represented by Ibrahim Babani, Director of External Affairs at ONSA, Ribadu stated that the legislative backing enhances the center’s mandate and supports more coordinated and decisive action in tackling illegal arms proliferation. He also stressed the importance of incorporating gender perspectives in disarmament efforts.