The National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), has called for partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to end proliferation of arms in Nigeria.
The NCCSALW National Coordinator, Johnson Kokumo, made the call when he paid a visit to the NSCDC Headquarters,Abuja on Monday.
Kokumo noted that the aim of the collaboration was to ensure both agencies win the war against weapons proliferation in Nigeria.
He said that an outright reduction in the proliferation of small and light arms would drastically lead to the reduction of violent conflicts across the country.
He emphasised that the availability of illegal arms in the hands of non-state actors has contributed to fueling violent conflicts and crimes in the society.
“The centre is seeking an improved collaboration with the corps, especially in areas of profiling, identification and arrest of self-acclaimed ‘agencies’.
“Most especially those who parade themselves as staff of the centre and defraud citizens of their hard-earned resources,” he said.
Kokuma added that the NCCSALW has the statutory responsibility and mandate to ensure that there is sanity amongst arm-bearing agencies in Nigeria.
Responding, the NSCDC Commandant-General (CG), Ahmed Audi, assured the centre of a renewed commitment and collaboration in achieving its mandate.
Audi, said that the corps will continue to work closely with the Center to ensure those camouflaged staff are arrested and if possible prosecuted if found guilty.
He congratulated NCCSALW for successfully pursuing a viable legal framework through the National Assembly and securing the presidential assent, adding that, it would give them more impetus to function appropriately without fear of litigation.