FG commences small arms mop up in 7 states

The Federal Government has revealed plans to begin mop up of small arms and light weapons in seven states of the federation.

The Presidential Committee on Small Arms and light weapons listed the states as Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

The Project Director, PRESCOM, Dickson Orji, disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja, on Monday at a 4-day training programme for security personnel on new standard operating procedures on physical security and stockpile management.

He said the committee hoped to consolidate on previous efforts in the eradication of illegal arms proliferation in the country.

Mr Orji also revealed that that committee with support from international partners have destroyed about 7000 illegal arms in Benue, Katsina and Zamfara states.

“We have engaged state governments and asked them to begin the civilian disarmament programme in their various states.

“So far we are working in these seven states, and this is an ECOWAS-EU small arms project, we are working with 5 states from the North and 2 states from the south east”, he said.

He added that as part of the civilian disarmament initiative of PRESCOM and EU- ECOWAS, civilians who voluntarily give up arms will be provided with alternative means of livelihood.

He further stated that an ineffective weapons stockpile system as operated by most paramilitary forces in the country posed a major challenge towards combating small and light arms proliferation in the country.

“We have recorded cases of communities with unauthorized armouries in some parts of the south east, because people believe government have failed to provide security.”

He cautioned that any civilian found with illegal weapons irrespective of the situation, will face criminal charges in accordance with the ECOWAS treaty.

The project coordinator, UN office for disarmament affairs, regional centre for peace and disarmament in Africa, Jean Bosco Rumongi, noted the relationship between a secured stockpile of weapons in the country and controlling arms proliferation amongst civilians and non-state actors.

He said “Achieving a secured region is possible with better physical security, and an effective stockpile management of government stockpiles of weapons and ammunitions, by having better tools that comply with management standards.”

The 4-day training program is aimed at preparing security personnel with necessary management skills on improved security methods and better ways to ensure protection of national weapons stockpile.