National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (North-west zone), has sensitised traditional rulers and religious leaders on the effects of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons on the society.
Speaking at the sensitisation programme in Kafanchan, Kaduna state recently, the zonal coordinator, Air Vice Marshal Haruna Umar Mohammed, said the centre is mandated to check the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.
The zonal coordinator said over 5,000 of small arms and light weapons were collected, and 20,000 ammunitions of different calibre were handed over to the centre in the last few years.
AVM Mohammed stated that the centre was able to recover some of the ammunitions through self surrender, adding that sensitisation exercise is also a major factor that has aided the recovering of the weapons.
He said: “In the whole of these, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, amongst other stakeholders contributed to the success recorded. The credit is not only to the security agencies, but even the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) also contributed to the achievement.
“As we speak now, the centre is heading towards been a commission, it has passed the first and second reading, and we are just waiting for the presidential assent.
“So, the centre is soliciting for your support in this struggle to rid our society out of illicit weapons for the good of all.”
Meanwhile, one of the participants, Joel Adegboyega, urged the government ensure the chain of supply of the small arms and light weapons is totally blocked, using her security structures.”
