President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), as a measure to help tackle insecurity in the nation and also appointed retired Maj. Gen. AM Dikko as the Pioneer Coordinator of the center.
This was made known in a statement by the Head of Strategic Communication, ONSA, Mr. Zakari Usman, in Abuja on Monday, May 3.
It was gathered that the NCCSALW was established to replace the defunct Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) working under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The SALW in its expansion across federal borders in Africa and the Sahel region has ceased to function in its strategies to tackle insecurity and regulated treason in the country.
However, the NCCSALW will serve as the mechanism to lead a multi-stakeholder policy that involves government Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and the civil society in implementing all national, UN, and ECOWAS Plans of Action on the control of SALW.
Also, the NCCSALW will fulfill the regulations of the ECOWAS Moratorium on Import, Export, and Manufacture of Light Weapons as well as the UN plan to Action to prevent, combat, and exterminate the unlawful trade in SALW.
According to Usman’s statement, the NCCSALW will maintain a multinational coalition and also operate with zonal offices in the six geopolitical zones to ensure timely response and effective mobilization of resources.
Mr. Usman also confirmed the appointment of the Pioneer Coordinator, retired Maj. Gen. AM Dikko, his vast experience working with the ECOWAS and the UN structure noting that he is required to operationalize the purposes of the NCCSALW.
He said, Gen. Dikko earlier served as a Course Director at Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Center and as Chief Instructor of the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Center.
Mr. Usman also noted that Gen. Dikko was also a Military Adviser in the United Nation Office for West Africa and a Director for Peacekeeping Operations in the Defence Headquarters, Commander of Operations LAST HOLD as well as Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
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