FG, Cross River partner against proliferation of small arms, light weapons

Going by the contiguity of Cross River State with the international borders of Cameroon in the Central Africa, the Federal Government of Nigeria has established a strategic partnership with Government of Cross River State against the illegal importation of small arms and light weapons into the Country through Cross River-Cameroon International borders.

The Federal Government of Nigeria is partnering Cross River State Government against smuggling and proliferation of small arms and light weapons through the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) having considered worsened level of insecurity in the Country occasioned by acts of terrorism, armed conflicts, kidnapping, banditry, among other crimes backed by proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

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Speaking on the strategic partnership with Federal Government, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State declared that the State is committed to collaborating with Federal Government to combat proliferation of small arms and light weapons, adding that the
partnership is crucial due to the State’s extensive borders, which present significant security challenges.

Speaking in Calabra during an audience with the management team of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), South-South Zone, Governor Otu emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of small arms proliferation through a combination of economic, social and kinetic strategies, just as he underscored the need for effective control of small arms and light weapons to ensure the safety and security of the State.

Taking concrete steps to supporting the strategic partnership, Governor Otu instructed the State’s Commissioner for Lands to allocate land for the construction of a Permanent Zonal Office of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) within a week in order to effectively monitor and curb smuggling and proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Country.

Acknowledging Cross River’s designation as the safest State in the Country, the governor expressed an intent to further enhance security measures, demanding improved collaboration and synergy between the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the local security agencies to exchange ideas and improve societal safety.

Responding on behalf of Federal Government of Nigeria, Ifiok Obot, retired Major General and Zonnal Coordinator of NCCSALW, noted that the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons was established in May 2021 through an Executive Order with a view to curbing smuggling and proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Country.

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While explianing that the delegation’s visit signified a significant step towards strengthening efforts to control the spread of small arms and light weapons, Obot submitted that the local of Zonal Office in Cross River State was timely and would be instrumental to fighting and reducing smuggling and proliferation of small arms and light weapons since Cross River is a State that is contiguous with the Nigeria’s international borders with Cameroon.

He however commended the Cross River State Government for being a good host to the NCCSALW Zonal Office, pledging that the National Centre would fight smuggling and proliferation of small arms and light weapons head-on.