South West – Ekiti

South West Zonal Office of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has cautioned blacksmiths in the zone to desist from fabricating arms. The zonal Coordinator of the Centre, Ben Sola Akinlade, made this known on Tuesday at a press briefing in Ado-Ekiti on the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Arms.

According to him, the activities of the blacksmiths in production of small arms in the country has increased the proliferation of illegal firearms adding that if there are minimal access to weapons, there will be less crime in the society. Speaking further, he said that the Centre has mapped out plans to sensitize the public at the grassroots to eliminate the possession of illegal firearms noting that the Centre in the zone is committed to end the proliferation of illegal firearms through awareness and sensitization.

He called on the state government and other relevant stakeholders to join forces with the Centre to ensure that residents of the state are informed on the dangers associated with the possession of illegal firearms.

His words: “The South West Zonal Office of NCCSALW poises to sustain collaboration and synergize with other stakeholders and action security agencies in identifying, profiling, arrest and prosecute arms traffickers as well as those with illicit possession of arms and ammunition within the zone.

“With co-operation from all relevant stakeholders, violent crimes, if not totally eradicated could be reduced to the barest minimum. Remember the slogan, “If You See Something, Say Something.”

“Therefore, report all illegal possession of arms and ammunition to the nearest security agency or directly to the personnel of office of NCCSALW.”

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The South-West Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Mr. Sola Akinlade has appealed to Corps members to volunteer credible information that will aid the centre in its fight to control and prevent the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.

This appeal was made to the 2023 Batch C Stream II Corps members undergoing their Orientation Course at the NYSC Oyo Permanent Orientation Camp, Iseyin in a sensitisation lecture deliverd by Mr. Akinlade Sola, the South-West Coordinator of the arms control centre.

According to Akinlade, the approval of the establishment of the centre was given by former President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) on May 3, 2021 in accordance with Article 24 of ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons with the vision to promote Illicit arms-free society and rejig Nigeria’s security architecture to address emerging threats.

Akinlade intimated the Corps members with the operations of the centre with six zonal offices covering all the Geo political zones to neutralize and destroy small and light arms flying around the country in wrong hands.

He emphasized on the need for parents, well meaning individuals and Government to join hands to curb the menace of illegal fire arms saturated across the country by providing adequate training for children from homes not to get involved in criminal activities, providing necessary information and arresting situations.

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The South-West Coordinator, Mr. Sola Akinlade and his Management team of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) delivered sensitization and advocacy lecture against proliferation of illicit arms with adherence to the template at NYSC camps in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State and Sagamu in Ogun State to address the Corp members. The Director General, NYSC was met in Sagamu and appreciated the Centre for her strategies in eradication of SALW in wrong hands.