Work to keep weapons out of wrong hands to save lives, Agency tasks Judiciary

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), has tasked the Borno state Judiciary to work towards keeping every form of weapons out of reach of wrong hands, in order to save lives of the citizens.

The North-East Zonal Director of the NCCSALW, Maj-General Abubakar Adamu (Retired), gave the task during a one-day workshop on forfeiture, handling of small arms and light weapons by courts for prosecutors of firearms cases and other stakeholders in Maiduguri, Borno state on Thursday.

“Every weapon we keep out of the wrong hands is a life saver. Every successful prosecution and forfeiture is a victory for justice and public safety”, he said.

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According to him, by partnering with the Judiciary and other stakeholders, the centre will ensure that its lofty objectives are translated into tangible improvements in the security and well-being of all Nigerians.

He recalled that during a similar workshop organized by the centre in Yobe state, Director, Public Prosecution of the state’s Ministry of Justice, Barr. Abdullahi Yusuf, observed that collaboration of prosecutors with NCCSALW would determine whether future generations inherit a Nigeria plagued by gun violence or one where peace, security, and the rule of law prevail.

Maj-General Adamu explained that the workshop was designed to address gaps in the prosecution, adjudication and post judgement handling of firearms related cases, stressing that participants are drawn from the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, security agencies and civil society organizations who play active roles in tackling the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, enhancing public safety.

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On his part, the Chief Judge of Borno state, Hon. Justice Kashim Zannah, pledged partnership with the Centre towards strengthening the fight against the use of illicit arms and ammunition in the Northeast sub-region.

Zannah, who reaffirmed the commitment of the judiciary in the state to support the national effort of controlling the spread of illicit arms and ammunition in the state, urged stakeholders present to enlighten the youth in every community to reject the allure of violence, illicit firearms and ammunition on the street, in the forest and in every home.

The Chief Judge appreciated the Centre working under the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu for organizing the workshop and appreciated its effort in addressing the menace of illicit arms proliferation in the region.

He assured the Centre of the co-operation of Judges and Magistrates under his jurisdiction and pledged the Judiciary’s continued support to the NCCSALW in the discharge of its statutory mandate in accordance with the law.