The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Hassan Dada has expressed concern about the high number of weapons in unauthorised hands in Nigeria.

Mr Dada spoke on Thursday in Enugu at a one-day seminar on the control of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.

The South-East zonal office of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALWS) organised the seminar.

“The number of weapons outside is very alarming,” said Mr Dada. “We need to take out these weapons in our midst; we need solutions; we need to think out of the box so we can take away these weapons.”

The GOC, represented by the Garrison Commander of 82 Division, Brig.-Gen. MM Abu said taking weapons from non-state actors would solve the country’s security challenges.

He described the seminar’s theme, “Multi-Sectoral Synergy Towards the Control of Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria,” as timely and imperative.

Mr Dada called for more synergy and interagency communication by different security agencies to retrieve all weapons from criminal elements.

Similarly, Kanayo Uzuegbu, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, said the proliferation of weapons fuelled criminality nationwide.

He added that most of the arms were smuggled from neighbouring countries and called for engagement with Nigerian manufacturers, political actors and other stakeholders to solve the menace.

Mr Uzuegbu was represented by ACP Onyeamu Akaeme, who is in charge of operations in the command.

“We should engage our manufacturers to tap from their expertise in a positive way for the good of our country.

“Engage our political leaders and their followers through sensitisation programmes,” he added.

The NCCSALWS zonal officer, Maj.-Gen. Okechukwu Ugoh (rtd) said the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons was directly responsible for much of the untold human suffering in the country.

“It is important to mention that these weapons on their own do not cause conflict; rather, it is the easy access to them and the recklessness of their use that makes violence more lethal and conflicts more protracted,” said Mr Ugoh.

According to him, small arms and light weapons have become weapons of choice for criminals, terrorists and bandits in Nigeria and beyond.

He added that this was “posing a significant challenge to our dear country, especially in the wake of many crises that have engulfed our geo-political zone and the nation at large.” 

(NAN)