The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons has decried the increased activities of unauthorised organisations taking over its responsibilities of removing and destroying illegal firearms in circulation.
The Assistant Director of Operations, NCCSALW North-East zonal office, Saleh Samaila, raised this concern while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri at the weekend.
“It has been observed recently that some unscrupulous and unauthorised outfits have emerged, deceitfully presenting themselves as the focal organisations for the control of illicit small arms and light weapons, creating false impressions of the legitimacy and authority of the national centre,” Samaila said.
He warned that “the action of these unauthorised bodies has the propensity to further compound the already complex task of small arms and light weapons control and may potentially result in confusion and a lack of credibility leading to administrative and legal disputes, which may hinder the centre from effectively carrying out its mandate.”
Samaila reminded all stakeholders and partners in the war against illicit weapons of the enormity of the centre’s mandate and the necessity to operate within legal boundaries.
He added, “The centre remains the only government-sanctioned body charged with the responsibility to checkmate the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in Nigeria, and it is crucial to note that any infringement on the duties of the centre will attract legal sanctions.”
NCCSALW was established under the Office of the National Security Adviser by former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 3, 2021, with the mandate to prevent and control proliferation of small arms and light weapons in collaboration with stakeholders towards strengthening peace and security in Nigeria.
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