Hope James
…says over 3000 illicit weapons have been destroyed
The Zonal Coordinator, National Centre for Small Arms and Light Weapons, Southwest Zone, Mr. Ben Akinlade, has assured citizens of South West Nigeria of the center’s commitment to ending the use of illicit weapons.
Akinlade said this on Wednesday while on advocacy and sensitization visit to the Nigeria Union of journalists Secretariat in Ado-Ekiti.
He assured that the proliferations of arms in the
society, especially, illicit weapons in wrong hands will be stopped, so that the society can be better for it.
According to him, over 3000 illicit weapons have been destroyed in Nigeria in recent times.
Akinlade said their visit was to announce their presence in Ekiti and to explain the objective of the center, which was majorly to mop-up illicit weapons in the hands of political thugs, armed banditry, individuals, for illicit use, either to rob or to threaten law abiding citizens.
He said, “About three weeks ago, we destroyed illicit arms collected from various military operations across Nigeria
“Our first programme is the advocacy and sensitization, so that people will know what we are doing in the zone.
“The proliferations of arms especially, the illicit weapons in wrong hands, with political thugs, armed banditry, and individuals, for illicit use, either to rob or to threaten the people must be moped-up from them.
“That is why under the NSA, we are to take advantage to control the arms in the hands of the people for illicit use in the society”
The NUJ Chairman, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela, commended the initiative of the Federal Government, describing it as a welcome development.
According to him, NUJ is ready to cooperate with them in creating awareness and sensitization to wipe-out illicit weapons in the society.
The NUJ advocated for state policing, saying this will fast track elimination of proliferations of light and illicit weapons in our society and ensure better security in the country.
The Zonal Coordinator was accompanied by other senior officials of the center, including Commander Way Olabisi, Assist Director, Strategic Communication and Information, Asst. Director, Ibidapo Olubuyi, Major Bolahan Falayan, Mr. Funsho Lawal, Oke Olaitan
and Ojeleye Mayode.