As a member state of ECOWAS, Nigeria has expressed its strong commitment to countering the threat posed by the illegal flow of small arms and light weapons (SALW) within its borders and surrounding areas.
This was disclosed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, who is also the Director of the National Small Arms Control Center.
He made these remarks at the ECOWAS Coordination Meeting of the National Small Arms Committee held in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
According to a statement by Capt. Pius Okwego Group, Director of Strategic Communications and Intelligence, NCCSALW, the meeting was held to address the most pressing security challenges facing the region: the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and improvised explosive devices. It said it would strengthen joint efforts to curb the threat. .
The representative of Nigeria said, “This conference provides an opportunity to review and harmonize national efforts, increase the effectiveness of implementing the ECOWAS Convention on SALW, and develop a coherent strategy to address complex threats.” Ta.
“The Government of Nigeria has consistently demonstrated its determination to continue to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. Established a National Small Arms and Small Arms Control Center as an interim measure to align with regional commitments.
“In a landmark development in June this year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assented to the National Center for Small Arms Control Act of 2024. With this legal backing, NCCSALW now serves as Nigeria’s lead institution in SALW management. It is tasked with coordinating efforts at all levels to ensure compliance with regional and international commitments such as the ECOWAS Convention and the United Nations Plan of Action on SALW. ”Kokumo-san explained.
Babatunde Kokumo, Executive Director of the Nigeria National Center for Small Arms and Light Weapons Control, NCCSALW, chaired the meeting and stressed the importance of collective action to combat the proliferation of illegal arms and IEDs across the country. region.
The conference, with the theme “Countering Improvised Explosive Devices, Promoting the Control and Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, and Regulation of Crafted Weapons Production in the ECOWAS Region”, aims to help ECOWAS countries particularly in combating the distribution of SALW. It is a means of strengthening the collective security framework. .
The ECOWAS Coordination Meeting of the National Committee for Small Arms and Light Arms begins on Tuesday in Abuja, Nigeria, and ends on October 31, 2024.
This regional conference aims to review and harmonize national efforts towards the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Small Arms Convention (SALW).
The focus is to facilitate the management and control of SALW and regulate the production of craft weapons within ECOWAS.
Mercy Chukudibele
