President Bola Tinubu has officially signed into law the bill establishing the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, NCCSALW, a crucial step in addressing the growing problem of small arms and light weapons proliferation across Nigeria.
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, made this announcement on Tuesday, September 17, during a workshop focused on gender inclusion in efforts to combat the spread of illegal arms in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
Speaking at the workshop through the Director of External Affairs from the Office of the NSA, Ibrahim Babani, Ribadu emphasized the significance of the new law.
He noted that President Tinubu’s endorsement of the bill marks a pivotal moment in the government’s strategy to tackle the illegal arms trade, strengthening the legal framework and bolstering the center’s ability to take more coordinated and impactful action against the proliferation of small arms.
Ribadu highlighted the workshop’s purpose, underlining the importance of gender mainstreaming in the fight against illegal arms.
He stressed that addressing the issue from a gender perspective is critical to national security and peacebuilding. Ribadu praised the National Coordinator and the team at NCCSALW for their dedication in organizing the event and their ongoing efforts to curb the influx of small arms, which he described as invaluable to Nigeria’s security goals.
The workshop was grounded in important international agreements, including the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which focuses on the protection of women from the impacts of armed conflict and advocates for their active involvement in peace and security initiatives. Ribadu underscored that the inclusion of women in these efforts is essential, as their full participation strengthens the overall approach to preventing conflict and building sustainable peace.
“Moreover, the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons underscores the collective responsibility of our region in cutting the spread of these dangerous weapons, which disproportionately affect women and children in conflict zones.
“The importance of gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of SALW cannot be overstated as it strengthens our strategies, and ensures that our approach to security is inclusive and sustainable,” he said.
Ribadu praised the efforts of the NCCSALW in tackling the issue of illegal arms proliferation in Nigeria. He acknowledged the centre’s relentless dedication to addressing the growing problem.
DIG Johnson Kokumo (Rtd), the National Coordinator of the NCCSALW, highlighted some of the center’s recent accomplishments.
He noted that on July 1, the centre, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, successfully seized a large cache of illegal firearms and arrested 10 individuals involved in the smuggling operation.
According to Kokumo, the suspects are currently facing prosecution for the unlawful importation of 544 firearms and 112,500 rounds of ammunition, a violation of Section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, among other charges.
This operation, Kokumo emphasized, illustrates the center’s commitment not only to intercepting illegal weapons but also to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable under the law.
“In addition to the above, the National Centre has retrieved a total of quantity 3,383 decommissioned, unserviceable, obsolete and illicit small arms and light weapons and 26,749 various calibres of ammunition from the arms bearing agencies of government.
“Later in this quarter, NCCSALW would be conducting an Arms Destruction Exercise which is a critical step in ensuring that recovered arms are permanently removed from circulation,” he said.
Kokumo emphasized that the issue of small arms and light weapons proliferation extends beyond Nigeria’s borders, making it a critical global concern.
He noted that the unchecked movement of these weapons leads to widespread violence, instability, and insecurity in many regions across the world.
He further stressed that incorporating gender perspectives into the control of small arms is not only an ethical obligation but also a strategic necessity.
Given the severe toll that armed conflicts take on women and children, he highlighted the importance of adopting gender-sensitive approaches in disarmament and security policies to ensure a more comprehensive and effective response.
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