In partnership with the Mines Advisory Group, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons hosted a crucial Roundtable Meeting to improve interagency collaboration and intelligence sharing. The meeting assembled various stakeholders, including government officials, military representatives and international partners, to deliberate on the current landscape of SALW in Nigeria. It served as a platform to share insights, experiences and strategies to combat the challenges posed by the illegal arms trade.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, was the Special Guest of Honour. The Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence Chairman, Senator Shehu Umar Buba, and the House Committee Chairman, Honourable Ahmad Satomi, attended the meeting. In attendance were esteemed ECOWAS, EU, Germany GIZ, and Mines Advisory Group representatives.
The NCCSALW National Coordinator, Maj Gen AM Dikko (Rtd), gave a stirring welcome address highlighting the Centre’s vital role in small arms and light weapons control. A series of insightful remarks from stakeholders stressed the need for a unified approach to arms proliferation.
The meeting’s keynote address by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu stressed the need for collaboration and regional intelligence networks to combat arms trafficking.
The Mines Advisory Group consultant Dr. Ndubuisi Nwokolo gave a comprehensive Arms Survey overview, revealing Nigeria’s small arms and light weapons situation. The Arms Registrar of the National Centre, Maj Gen AD Chinoko (Rtd), then led an interactive session that encouraged productive discussion.
Maj Gen AK Ibrahim OFR, NCCSALW’s Deputy National Coordinator and Director Policy and Plans, gave a vote of thanks for everyone’s insightful contributions and active participation.
The Roundtable Meeting reinforces the Centre’s commitment to a collaborative, informed, and strategic approach to small arms and light weapons proliferation and a safer Nigeria.
