By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the National Centre for the Cont...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Niger State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in its efforts to curb the proliferation of illicit arms and weapons across the country.
The Executive Governor of Niger State, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, reaffirmed the commitment when he received the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (Rtd.), who led other principal officials of the organisation, including the North-Central Zonal Director, DDG Abdul Adamu Eneche, on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Minna.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, appreciated the collaborative efforts between the Federal Government and the state government since the establishment of the Centre’s zonal office in Minna.
Governor Umaru Bago assured the delegation that the fight against the proliferation of illicit arms would not be left solely in the hands of the Centre, stressing that the state government would provide the necessary support and resources required for the Centre to succeed.
He acknowledged that Niger State faces several security challenges, including banditry and other social vices that have increasingly become threats to society.
The governor also directed the State Ministry of Lands to work out modalities for providing suitable land for the Centre to establish its state office in Niger State.
Earlier, the Director-General and National Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (Rtd.), commended Governor Bago for his tremendous support for the Centre and its efforts to achieve its objectives.
He particularly appreciated the governor’s role in facilitating the provision of land and the subsequent establishment of the Centre’s zonal office in Minna.
DIG Kokumo said his visit to the state was aimed at familiarising himself with the state and engaging relevant stakeholders in the fight against arms proliferation in the country.
He noted that the proliferation of illicit arms remains a major driver of violent crimes across the nation, stressing that the availability of illegal weapons in the hands of unauthorised individuals and non-state actors contributes significantly to insecurity.
According to him, the Centre is working assiduously with relevant stakeholders across the country to stem the tide of illicit arms proliferation.
DIG Kokumo acknowledged the strides recorded by the Centre since its establishment, noting that although the task has not been easy, achieving a society free from illicit arms remains possible with sustained collaboration among stakeholders.
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