The Federal Government has advocated stronger regional efforts to counter the threats posed by the proliferation of small arms and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the West Africa sub-region.
This call was made at the opening of the ECOWAS Coordination Meeting of National Commissions on Small Arms on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Director-General, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, who is the representative of Nigeria at the meeting made the call.
The theme of the meeting is, “Countering Improvised Explosive Devices, Promoting Administration and Management of Small Arms and Light Weapons, and Regulating Craft Weapons Production in the ECOWAS Region”.
Kokumo said the meeting reinforces the joint efforts towards curbing the menace of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and IEDs, which remained a pressing security challenge facing the region.
He said that the challenge of small arms proliferation and IEDs threats transcended individual borders and therefore demands a robust and unified response.
He commended the ECOWAS for its relentless dedication to regional peace and security, and reiterated the willingness of the federal government to work hand-in-hand with its brothers and sisters in the region.
“This coordination meeting therefore provides a unique platform to further consolidate our strategies, align our goals and ensure that our national actions contribute meaningfully to regional stability.
“The threats posed by the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, the rising misuse of improvised explosive devices presents us with a unique and urgent call to action.
“Our collective work here reflects a fundamental truth, that is, no one nation can tackle these complex challenges alone.
“Together, through concerted action and commitment, we can make our communities safer, our borders more secure and our region a beacon of peace and resilience,” he said.
Kokumo said the Government of Nigeria had consistently demonstrated its resolve to continue to counter the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
He said that the assent to the NCCSALW Act 2024 by President Bola Tinubu had empowered the centre to serve as Nigeria’s primary agency in SALW control in the country.
According to him, this new Act aligns the National Centre with Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on SALW as well as the UN Programme of Action to combat illicit arms trade.
He said the act had also empowered the centre to develop more robust and sustainable strategies for arms control and reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its international and regional obligations.
According to him, NCCSALW has destroyed thousands of illicit arms, spearheaded training programmes for weapons marking and embarked on advocacy and sensitization efforts.
“These efforts have been strengthened by a rigorous partnership with civil society, security agencies and state governments to enhance arms control and accountability.
“Earlier this month, over 2,400 illegal weapons were destroyed while we have also facilitated enhanced training to better address issues related to improvised explosive devices,’’ he added.