Some of the weapons collected by the Center. Photo: Radio Nigeria archive
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons has assured Nigerians of its commitment to checkmate the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the Country.
The Zonal Coordinator, Northwest Zone of the Center, Haruna Umar Mohammed gave the assurance in a statement he signed on Wednesday in Kaduna.
According to Mr Mohammed, the Center remains the only government body saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the collection, storage, destruction, management and stockpiling of obsolete, seized, unmarked and illegally held small arms and light weapons.
He disclosed that the Centre was established in May, 2021 with Zonal offices in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.
He said the Center keeps weapons collected from peace accords or programs, or those voluntarily handed over and as well, create and maintain a national database on all small arms and light weapons.
Mr Mohammed further stated that, the Center is domiciled in the office of the National Security Adviser, Abuja and it replaces the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
The Zonal Coordinator, however, expressed dismay over the attitude of some unauthorized bodies that are deceitfully parading themselves as the local organization for the control of Illicit small arms and light weapons, as well as creating false impressions of legitimacy and authority.
He urged Nigerians to disregard these unauthorized bodies and report them to security agencies.
He advised citizens to also report any suspected bodies parading themselves as staff of the Centre to the headquarters of the Northwest Zonal Office located at Kaduna state.
Writing by Abdullahi Lamino