Defence
NSA advocates collective action against illicit arms in Nigeria
The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno has called for collective action by all stakeholders to rid Nigeria and Africa of illicit small arms and light weapons.
Monguno made the call at a one-day Roundtable discussion with stakeholders on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), organised by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), on Thursday in Abuja.
Monguno was represented by the Director of Policy and Strategy, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Amb. Aminu Lawal.
The roundtable with the theme, “Galvanising Stakeholders Support Towards the Prevention and Control of the Proliferation of SALW in Nigeria” was organised in collaboration with Mines Advisory Group (MAG).
Monguno said the widespread and availability of small arms and light weapons in many regions of the world particularly West Africa was a matter of grave concern.
He added that it had become a major source of insecurity and vulnerability, fueling conflict, crime and terrorism.
The NSA said the presence of small arms and light weapons had also undermined global peace, greatly hindered development and caused untold human sufferings.
According to him, accessing these weapons easily makes violence more lethal and conflict more protracted, because small arms and light weapons are easy to acquire and simple to use.
“Estimates of the actual number of weapons available vary, but even if production ceases today there will still be millions of small arms and light weapons in circulation particularly in West Africa and Nigeria as well.
“They need to stop the proliferation can therefore not be overemphasized,” he said.
Monguna disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari authorised the establishment of the NCCSALW to serve as the institutional platform for controlling the proliferation of small arms and light weapons within the framework of the various international protocols and instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He said that Buhari had demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to the provisions of article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on small arms and light weapons, which required all member states to establish national commissions to promote a multilateral approach to stamping out the unregulated or uncontrolled circulation of SALW in the sub-region.
According to him, the centre upon full operationalisation will have offices in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria to ensure a grassroots presence.
“The journey towards eradicating illicit arms in our global society has been one that has involved all stakeholders, including the international community and the civil society organisations.
“Despite our best efforts, however, it has appeared that West Africa and indeed the global community is losing the war to transnational organised criminal networks, terrorist groups, domestic criminal elements and weapon manufacturers.
“They have for obvious reasons and motives choose to act outside the norms and dictates of all extant international protocols as they continue to keep the security space awash with small arms and light weapons.
“This we must not allow continuing; the challenge of small arms and light weapons is complex and requires concerted action between the government and non-governmental organisations and organised civil society,” he said.
The Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Carl Michael, said that issues of gun violence and proliferation of SALW in Nigeria and its impact on local communities had remained a serious challenge in Nigeria.
Michael added that the illicit transfer, accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition were key drivers of conflict and armed violence that had affected increasing numbers of civilians including women and children in Nigeria.
He said the consequences of uncontrolled illicit small arms and light weapons could go far beyond the immediate impact of violence on persons.
According to him, it also hampers the attempts for economic and social development and growth, as seen in many places around the world but mostly in northern Nigeria.
He said that preventing armed conflict and building sustainable peace based on respect for human rights could only be achieved by addressing the harm caused to civilians by small arms and light weapons.
He pledged that Sweden continues to support the MAG for its work on small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.
Also, the Representative of the European Union (EU), Clement Buotillier, said that the EU was committed to supporting the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Buotillier said that illicit arms were a global issue, adding that the number of people killed using small arms and light weapons in the world was on the increase.
He said that the EU had observed the impact of illicit arms on elections in Nigeria for over 20 years, adding that many weapons were in the hands of bandits, criminal groups, and violent extremist groups that were fighting the Nigerian state.
“I want to emphasise that in its response to distress to this threat, the European Union has taken the initiative to support ECOWAS and by extension its member states in implementing the provisions of the convention on SALW.
“Since 2014, the EU has supported weapons collection exercises in the region, the development of Community Action plans and the implementation of community micro-projects to prevent the use of small arms,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that various local and international stakeholders including embassies, the military, security agencies, civil society organisations, among others were in attendance.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has handed over illicit drugs worth N117.59 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Comptroller of the command, Mr James Ojo, disclosed this during the handing over of the drugs to Mr Olusegun Adeyeye, the Commander of NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command, in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Friday.
Ojo said the customs handed over the seized cannabis and tramadol tablets to the Idiroko Special Command for further investigation in line with the standard operating procedures and inter-agency collaboration.
He said the illicit drugs were seized in various strategic locations between January and November 21, 2024, in Ogun State.
He added that the illicit drugs were abandoned at various locations, including the Abeokuta axis, the Agbawo/Igankoto area of Yewa North Local Government Area, and Imeko Afton axis.
Ojo said that the seizure of the cannabis sativa and tramaling tablets, another brand of tramadol, was made possible through credible intelligence and strategic operations of the customs personnel.
“The successful interception of these dangerous substances would not have been possible without the robust collaboration and support from our intelligence units, local informants and sister agencies.
“These landmark operations are testament to the unwavering dedication of the NCS to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
He said the seizures comprised 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels, weighing 7,217.7 kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each, with a total Duty Paid Value of N117,587,405,00.
He described the height of illicit drugs smuggling in the recent time as worrisome.
This, he said, underscores the severity of drug trafficking within the borders.
“Between Oct. 13 and Nov. 12 alone, operatives intercepted a total of 1,373 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,337kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each,” he said.
Ojo said the seizures had disrupted the supply chain of illicit drugs, thereby mitigating the risks those substances posed to the youth, families and communities.
He lauded the synergy between its command, security agencies and other stakeholders that led to the remarkable achievements.
Ojo also commended the Comptroller General of NCS for creating an enabling environment for the command to achieve the success.
Responding, Adeyeye, applauded the customs for achieving the feat.
Adeyeye pledged to continue to collaborate with the customs to fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking in the state.
Prominent Niger Delta human rights activist and environmentalist, Ann-Kio Briggs, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta, describing it as ill-advised and detrimental to the oil-rich region.
Briggs expressed her concerns during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
“The Ministry of Niger Delta was created by the late (President Umaru) Yar’Adua. There was a reason for the creation. So, just removing it because the president was advised. I want to believe that he was advised because if he did it by himself, that would be terribly wrong,” she stated.
President Tinubu, in October, dissolved the Ministry of Niger Delta and replaced it with the Ministry of Regional Development, which is tasked with overseeing all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North-West Development Commission, and North-East Development Commission.
Briggs questioned the rationale behind the restructuring, expressing concerns about its feasibility and implications. “But that’s not going to be the solution because who is going to fund the commissions? Is it the regions because it is called the Regional Development Ministry? Is it the states in the regions? What are the regions because we don’t work with regions right now; we are working with geopolitical zones,” she remarked.
She added, “Are we going back to regionalism? If we are, we have to discuss it. The president can’t decide on his own to restructure Nigeria. If we are restructuring Nigeria, the president alone can’t restructure Nigeria, he has to take my opinion and your opinion into consideration.”
Briggs also decried the longstanding neglect of the Niger Delta despite its significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy since 1958. “The Niger Delta has been developing Nigeria since 1958. We want to use our resources to develop our region; let regions use their resources to develop themselves,” she asserted.
Reflecting on the various bodies established to address the region’s development, Briggs lamented their failure to deliver meaningful progress. She highlighted the Niger Delta Basin Authority, the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), and the NDDC as examples of ineffective interventions.
“NDDC was created by Olusegun Obasanjo…There was OMPADEC before NDDC. OMPADEC was an agency. Before OMPADEC, there was the Basin Authority…These authorities were created to help us. Were we helped by those authorities? No, we were not,” she said.
Briggs further described the NDDC as an “ATM for failed politicians, disgruntled politicians, and politicians that have had their electoral wins taken away from them and given to somebody else.”
Her remarks underscore the deep-seated frustrations in the Niger Delta, where residents continue to advocate for greater control over their resources and improved governance.
President Bola Tinubu has announced the passing of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who died at age 56.
According to a statement by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the Army Chief passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after battling an illness.
In his message of condolence, President Tinubu extended heartfelt sympathies to Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, honoring his “significant contributions to the nation.”
The President wished the late General eternal peace and recognized his dedicated service during this difficult time for the military and the nation.
Customs hands over illicit drugs worth N117.59m to NDLEA
Akpabio pledges enabling laws to enhance polytechnics’ capacity
Customs intercepts N30m worth of PMS in Operation Whirlwind
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
Business3 years ago
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
-
Headlines3 years ago
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
-
Foreign3 years ago
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
Technology2 months agoZero Trust Architecture in a Remote World: Securing the New Normal
-
Entertainment2 years agoPhyna emerges winner of Big Brother Naija Season 7
-
Business6 months agoNigeria Customs modernisation project to check extortion of traders
-
Business8 months agoWe generated N30.2 bn revenue in three months – Kano NCS Comptroller
-
Headlines5 months agoPhilippines’ Vice President Sara Duterte resigns from Cabinet
