Centre Sensitizes Traditional, Religious Leaders On Proliferation of Small Arms in Kaduna

…poor governance aiding arms proliferation – stakeholders

By Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, Kaduna

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, north-west zone, has sensitized the traditional rulers and religious leaders on the effects of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Kaduna, and on the society.

This is just as the stakeholders at the sensitisation meeting opined that poor governance is responsible for the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the society.

In their separate remarks, they urged the government to live up to the needs of the citizens in the area of health, education, road infrastructure, and provision of job opportunity for the teeming youth, among others.

These, according to them, will eradicate the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in society.

Speaking at the sensitization programme in Kafanchan Wednesday, the zonal coordinator, AVM Haruna Umar Mohammed, averred that the Centre is mandated to checkmate proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.

According to the Zonal Coordinator, over 5000 of small arms and light weapons were collected, and 20,000 munitions of different caliber were handed over to the Centre in the last few years.

AVM Mohammed however, explained that the Centre was able to recover some of the ammunition through self-surrender, adding that sensitization exercise is also a major factor that has aided the recovering of the weapons.

While speaking, he said, ” In the whole of these, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, amongst other stakeholders contributed to the success recorded. The credit is not only to the security agencies, but even the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) also contributed to the achievement.

“As we speak now, the Centre is heading towards being a Commission, it has passed the first and second reading, and we are just waiting for the presidential assent.

“So, the Centre is soliciting your support in this struggle to rid our society out of illicit weapons for the good of all.”

Meanwhile, one of the participants, Joel Adegboyega, urged that the government must ensure that the chain of supply of the small arms and light weapons is totally blocked, using her security structures.

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