FG to real out measures on small arms proliferation- Osinbajo

As Nigeria struggles under the weight of insecurity, Federal government on Monday said it will soon bring out measures to tackle the challenges of small arms proliferation in Nigeria.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday disclosed that government will soon come up with the strategies to deal with the issue that has seen different weapons being openly used to terrorize innocent Nigerians

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is chairing a meeting a committee set up to seek clear cut set of strategies to curb and curtail the proliferation of small and light weapons, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Osinbajo after the closed door meeting noted that the seriousness of the matter had necessitated the setting up of the review committee, adding that “the problem we have at hand is really enormous, that this is why the President is keen on effective and prompt solutions”

At the last National Security Council meeting, President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Vice President to chair the committee to review the report of the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM) constituted in April 2013 by the then Federal Government.

“ We need the development of clear cut, specific line of action to address the serious problems of small arms and light weapons many of which fuel the insurgency in the Northeast and other security challenges in the country”

The committee’s membership is drawn from office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, headed by Abubakar Malami; the Ministers of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno.

Others include the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Mohammed Usman; and the Chairman of PRESCOM. Emmanuel Imohe.

Others include the representatives of the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Ministry of Defence.