The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons has warned Nigerians against acquiring weapons illegally.

The centre’s national coordinator, Abba Dikko, stated this on Thursday in Abuja, when he led a team to pay a courtesy call on the NYSC director-general, Muhammad Fadah.

The visit was to seek the partnership of the NYSC in curbing the proliferation of illicit arms in the country. 

According to Mr Dikko, insecurity persists in Nigeria because there are many illicit weapons in the hands of people. He, however, said there was a need to stop the spread to restore peace, adding that once there was peace, there would be development.

He said the NCCSALW was established to mainstream the proliferation of illicit small arms, and it had to carry as many stakeholders as possible to achieve its aim.

“I found the NYSC as one veritable tool for which we can extend advocacy so that we can reach all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, and it is important that we look at the platform,” Mr Dikko explained. “This is because it is more or less a quasi-military outfit and has a regimental way of doing things.”

He added, “So we thought if we develop skits that they can use to communicate with the different strata of the society in their respective places of primary assignment, then I think we will be well fulfilled in pushing this message.”

On the role of corps members in the campaign against illicit arms, he said they would help to carry the message along and talk to people in their target audience, which was their immediate communities.

Mr Fadah commended the centre for seeking collaboration with NYSC. 

“NYSC is the bridge between their time as students and the larger society, and they will continue to serve as good ambassadors. We are ready for the synergy and will be glad to have some of your staff to sensitise corps members while they are in the orientation camp,” Mr Fadah stated.

(NAN)