The seminar hosted by the South-East Regional Office of the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALWS) in Enugu emphasized the critical need for solutions to tackle the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. High-ranking security officials, including Major General Dada and Police Commissioner Kanayo Uzuegbu, underscored the severity of the issue and stressed the importance of unified action.
Major General Dada emphasized the urgency of eliminating these illegal weapons from circulation, pointing out that national security hinges on this action. He urged for innovative approaches and enhanced collaboration among various security agencies to recover these weapons from non-state actors. Police Commissioner Uzuegbu drew attention to the correlation between weapon proliferation and the surge in crime nationwide, advocating for partnerships with local manufacturers, political figures, and other stakeholders to establish lasting solutions.
The seminar’s theme, “Multi-sectoral Synergy for Controlling the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria,” was endorsed as pertinent and crucial by these esteemed speakers. Major General Ugoh (retd), a representative of the NCCSALWS, highlighted the role of small arms and light weapons in the extensive human suffering stemming from conflict and violence in the nation. He emphasized that conflicts are not caused by weapons themselves, but by easy access to them and their irresponsible use, making violence more lethal and conflicts more enduring.
Small arms and light weapons have increasingly become the preferred tools for criminals, terrorists, and bandits in Nigeria and neighboring regions. Addressing this situation necessitates coordinated and collaborative efforts to curb this proliferation and ensure the country’s security and stability. Timely and decisive action is imperative to combat this threat, which jeopardizes the safety of all citizens.
For more information on this issue and related topics, you can explore the following articles:
1. Army Concerned Over Number of Unauthorized Weapons in Circulation
2. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.