Federal government and NYSC partner to combat illicit arms proliferation
The Federal Government, through the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons NCCSALW, has partnered with the National Youth Service Corps NYSC to address insecurity and the spread of illicit small arms and light weapons. Maj. Gen. Abubakar Adamu retd., the Northeast Zonal Director of the NCCSALW, announced this at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bauchi, highlighting the crucial role corps members can play in advocating for an illicit arms-free society. He noted that collaborations with corps members in Borno and Yobe have already shown positive results. The NCCSALW, established in 2021 under the Office of the National Security Adviser, is responsible for regulating and controlling small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. Adamu emphasized that the proliferation of these weapons fuels banditry, kidnapping, cultism, political thuggery, insurgency, and other criminal activities, hindering development and fostering trans-border insecurity. He called on parents and guardians to educate children on tolerance and peaceful coexistence and urged NYSC coordinators in the North-East to establish SALW Community Development Service groups. The Bauchi State NYSC Coordinator, Umoren Kufre, welcomed the initiative and pledged to support the establishment of the CDS group and strengthen collaboration with the NCCSALW.
