The Federal Government has called on state governors to collaborate with relevant agencies in curtailing crime and criminality across the country.
The appeal was made through the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Northeast Zonal Centre, during a courtesy visit to Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State on Friday.
The Northeast Zonal Director of NCCSALW Major General Abubakar Adamu (retd.), urged governors to support efforts aimed at addressing the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, which he described as a major driver of insecurity in Nigeria.
Adamu said, “We are here to sensitise and educate the people on the dangers of using illicit SALW and to engage stakeholders, particularly arms-bearing units, on how we can collaborate to stop the proliferation of these weapons in our communities.
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“We came here to outline our strategies on how to stop the manufacturing, fabrication, and spread of small arms and light weapons in the country.”
The retired general explained that the Centre was working with various stakeholders nationwide to recover and destroy illicit weapons. He added that the Federal Government had mandated the agency to prosecute individuals involved in arms proliferation, urging stronger collaboration from all stakeholders.
Adamu also stressed the negative impact of the proliferation of small arms on peaceful coexistence and socio-economic development, pledging the Centre’s commitment to intelligence sharing and cooperation with relevant institutions.
Responding, Governor Kefas, represented by the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Bonzena, commended the NCCSALW for its proactive efforts and assured the agency of the state government’s full cooperation.
He said the visit marked a significant step in strengthening the partnership between the state government and the Centre, noting that effective collaboration was essential in maintaining peace and security across the nation.
According to him, both the Taraba State Government and NCCSALW remain committed to promoting peace, security, and development in the region.
