Tinubu has signed bill for establishment of centre for arms control – NSA

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu announced that President Bola Tinubu has signed the bill establishing the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons. Ribadu made this statement at a workshop on gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria and West Africa.

The centre’s mandate has been strengthened by the president’s assent, enabling more coordinated efforts to curb illegal arms. Ribadu emphasized the importance of gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of small arms, citing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the ECOWAS Convention.

Retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, National Coordinator of NCCSALW, highlighted the centre’s achievements, including retrieving a substantial cache of illegal arms and arresting 10 suspects. The centre has also retrieved 3,383 decommissioned arms and 26,749 rounds of ammunition.

Kokumo stressed that controlling small arms proliferation is a national and international concern, with devastating consequences. He advocated for a gender-sensitive approach to disarmament and security policies.

The workshop aimed to integrate gender perspectives into national and regional strategies for small arms control. Ribadu commended the centre’s efforts and emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the issue.

This development marks a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

Key points:

• President Tinubu signs bill establishing National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons
• Centre’s mandate strengthened to curb illegal arms proliferation
• Gender mainstreaming essential in preventing small arms proliferation
• Centre retrieves substantial cache of illegal arms and arrests suspects
• International cooperation crucial in addressing small arms proliferation.