BAUCHI, Nigeria — The Federal Government, via the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), has partnered with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to address insecurity and the spread of illicit arms nationwide.

Maj. Gen. Abubakar Adamu (retd.), Northeast Zonal Director of the NCCSALW, announced the collaboration on Friday at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bauchi. He stated that corps members are crucial in advocating for a society free from illicit arms at their primary assignment locations.

Adamu highlighted that previous collaborations with corps members in Borno and Yobe states have shown positive outcomes. He encouraged corps members throughout the Northeast to actively engage in efforts to reduce the prevalence of small arms and light weapons in the region.

“The active involvement of the youth, especially corps members, will significantly help in tackling insecurity and the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons,” Adamu explained. He was represented at the event by Aminu Saleh, Assistant Director of Strategic Communication and Information at the Centre.

Saleh noted that corps members in Borno and Yobe have been instrumental in sensitizing communities. This initiative is facilitated through the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Community Development Service (CDS) groups.

The NCCSALW, established in 2021 under the Office of the National Security Adviser, functions as the primary body for regulating and controlling small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. Adamu emphasized the importance of educating corps members about the dangers associated with the proliferation of illicit arms.

He detailed how these weapons fuel banditry, kidnapping, cultism, political thuggery, insurgency, and various other criminal activities. Furthermore, the spread of small arms and light weapons impedes national development, fosters black markets for arms and ammunition, exposes young people to armed violence, and exacerbates cross-border insecurity.

“Small arms and light weapons create fear in the minds of the people and contribute to many other vices in society,” Adamu stated. He also urged parents and guardians to prioritize proper child upbringing, instilling values of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and awareness of the dangers of violence.

The zonal director called upon NYSC coordinators across the Northeast to collaborate with the NCCSALW in establishing SALW CDS groups in their respective states, mirroring the existing group in Borno.

Responding, Umoren Kufre, the Bauchi State NYSC Coordinator, commended the NCCSALW for the sensitisation program. Kufre welcomed the proposal to form a CDS group and pledged that efforts would be made to strengthen collaboration with the Centre in combating the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.

“We will work closely with the Centre to fight and eradicate the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the region through sensitisation at strategic locations,” Kufre assured.

Some corps members present at the event pledged to act as ambassadors for the NCCSALW and actively participate in initiatives aimed at ending the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.