The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons was established amid widespread instability, according to General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Aminu Chinade.
When Shola Akinlade, the South-West zonal coordinator of the centre, and his team paid him a courtesy call at the division headquarters in Ibadan, Mr. Chinade made this statement.
While praising the National Security Advisor for creating the centre, the GOC expressed his satisfaction and encouragement with the calibre of individuals selected to work there.
He urged the zonal coordinator and the entire workforce to remain focused on their mandate and core duty, as Nigerians were watching and relied on them to rid the country of illegal arms and weapons.
The GOC assured the centre of the division’s assistance and support.
Mr Akinlade said they were at the division to seek the cooperation and collaboration of the military in the zone to carry out their duties and mandate effectively.
He explained that the centre relied mostly on the military to achieve its objectives of mopping up all prohibited small arms and light weapons in the hands of unauthorised persons in the country.
Mr Akinlade added that the centre intended to achieve this by providing appropriate information and intelligence to the security agencies, advocacy and sensitisation.
(NAN)