FG, NYSC partner to curb proliferation of illicit arms

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The Federal Government, through the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, has partnered with the National Youth Service Corps to tackle insecurity and the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the country.

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The Northeast Zonal Director of the NCCSALW, Maj. Gen. Abubakar Adamu (retd.), disclosed this on Friday while speaking at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bauchi.

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Adamu said the partnership was necessary because corps members could play a significant role in advocating for an illicit arms-free society at their places of primary assignment.

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He said the collaboration with corps members in Borno and Yobe had yielded positive results, urging corps members across the North-East to actively participate in efforts to curb the spread of small arms and light weapons in the region.

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According to him, “The active involvement of the youth, especially corps members, will significantly help in tackling insecurity and the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.”

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The zonal director, who was represented by the Assistant Director of Strategic Communication and Information of the Centre, Aminu Saleh, said corps members in Borno and Yobe had been involved in sensitising communities at their places of primary assignment.

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He said the initiative was made possible through the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Community Development Service.

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Adamu explained that the NCCSALW, established in 2021 under the Office of the National Security Adviser, serves as the institutional framework for regulating and controlling small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.

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He said it was important to sensitise corps members on the dangers of illicit arms proliferation, noting that such weapons fuel banditry, kidnapping, cultism, political thuggery, insurgency and other forms of criminality.

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He added that the proliferation of SALW hindered development, encouraged arms and ammunition black markets, exposed young people to armed violence and heightened trans-border insecurity.

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According to him, “Small arms and light weapons create fear in the minds of the people and contribute to many other vices in society.”

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The zonal director called on parents and guardians to take responsibility for proper child upbringing while educating children on tolerance, peaceful coexistence and the dangers of violence.

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He also urged NYSC coordinators across the North-East to collaborate with the Centre to establish SALW Community Development Service groups in their respective states, similar to the one already operating in Borno State.

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Responding, the Bauchi State NYSC Coordinator, Umoren Kufre, commended the Centre for the sensitisation programme and welcomed the proposal to establish the CDS group.

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Kufre assured that efforts would be made to set up the group and strengthen collaboration with the Centre in the fight against the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.

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He said, “We will work closely with the Centre to fight and eradicate the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the region through sensitisation at strategic locations.”

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Punch reports that some of the corps members who spoke at the event pledged to serve as ambassadors of the Centre and participate actively in activities aimed at ending the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.

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