By: Edem Archibong, Calabar
The National Center for the Control Of Small Arms And Light Weapons coming into Nigeria illegally and the South South region of Nigeria has appealed to all transport Companies in Calabar, Cross River State Capital to partner with the body for effective Control of illegal Arms and light weapons infiltrators into the zone.
This assertion was made in Calabar by the South South Zonal Coordinator of National Center for the Control Of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) , Dr. Alex Inemah Ebimiebo describes the transport operators as being “indispensable allies in the fight against insecurity while urging them to work closely with the Center to prevent illegal Arms from moving through the transport sector” into the zone.
He also disclose that the aim of the sensitization workshop with the transporters was to create awareness and strengthen collaboration with them to prevent the illegal circulation of firearms in South South States.
On the emergents of the Center, Dr. Ebimiebo explained that this agency came to being through Article 24 of May 3, 2021 of ECOWAS Conversation gave rise for the establishment of Control On Small Arms and Light Weapons infiltration operating under the office of the National Security Adviser with Headquarters in Abuja and six zonal offices nationwide while Calabar office serves the South South region.
He further narrated that the challenge of Small Arms and Light Weapons prolifiration extends beyond the shore of Nigeria and becomes a global concerns because it is evident that “wherever you see mass violence or conflicts, firearms are involved. That’s why countries are taking deliberate steps to control arms prolifiration”and “without small arms, insecurity would not have been this widespread, you cannot carry out terrorism, armed robbery or violent conflict with bare hands; the main instrument is the gun”, he said.
For the danger of owning firearms such as the AK-47 rifles, pump action guns, pistol or the locally fabricated weapons, all and more can only be given permission by the Nigeria Police Force authority is by law. No other security agency is having such responsibility therefore, he appealed to the transporters to always be vigilant on the nature of Goods and luggages passengers carry to bud their vehicles.
End.
effective control and N of illegal infiltrators in the zone.
