Centre Appeals To Borno Monarchs To Reduce Arms Supply

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) says there is need for Borno traditional rulers to support advocacy programs that will help reduce circulation of illegal small arms and light weapons in the zone.

The appeal was made by the North East Zonal Coordinator of the center, retired Rear Adm. Abdulrahim Mohammed during a visit to Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn-Garbai Elkanemi, in his Palace in Maiduguri on Monday.

He said the centre embarked on national assignment to eradicate illegal acquisition of firearms which had contributed immensely to the security challenges in Nigeria.

According to him, the traditional institutions are critical stakeholders in the campaign as they are custodians of culture and vanguard of promoting peace and violence-free society.

In his remarks, Shehu commended the Federal Government for establishing the centre in Maiduguri, adding that it would mitigate the menace of insecurity, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the region.

According to him, the removal of small arms and light weapons in the hands of terrorists and non-state actors will deepen and sustain the peace achieved so far.

Since its take-off in May 2021, the centre has reportedly recovered 3,000 small arms from the populace.

NAN