Small Arms Proliferation Fuelling Banditry, Others In North Central – NCCSALW

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has raised concerns over the proliferation of illegal firearms in Nigeria’s North Central region, warning that the trend is fuelling banditry and kidnapping.

The Director-General of the centre, Johnson Kokumo, raised the concern during a visit to the North Central Zonal Centre in Minna, Niger State.

The Zonal Coordinator, Abdul Enenche, said the circulation of small arms and light weapons had contributed significantly to the worsening security situation across the region.

Enenche said criminal elements were exploiting vast forest areas in some states as hideouts, making it increasingly difficult for security agencies to track and apprehend them.

He noted that states such as Kwara and Plateau, which were previously considered relatively peaceful, were now facing serious security challenges linked to the movement and proliferation of illegal firearms.

According to him, porous borders across the region have also created opportunities for criminal networks to sustain the supply of illicit arms.

Enenche identified the activities of informants as another major challenge confronting security agencies, saying insiders were frustrating efforts to disrupt criminal operations.

He further raised concerns over mining sites across the region, which he said had become vulnerable to the presence and circulation of small arms and light weapons.

The zonal coordinator said the centre was intensifying efforts to curb the illegal arms trade and strengthen collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders.

As part of its enforcement activities, the North Central Zonal Centre is currently prosecuting two suspected gun runners before the High Court in Minna.

The NCCSALW said continued efforts to trace and disrupt the sources and movement of illegal firearms would remain critical to tackling banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the region.