Taraba Govt Pledges Support To Arms Control Agency
Taraba State Government says it will render all appropriate support to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) to mop up illegal weapons in the state.
The state Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas made the pledge when the NCCSALW North-East Zonal Coordinator, Major General Abubakar Adamu (rtd) paid him a courtesy visit in Jalingo.
The governor, who was represented by the Speaker of the state Assembly, John Kizito Bonzena said the government would give priority attention to combating the growing threat of illicit arms in Taraba state.
He emphasised the urgency of securing the state, given its strategic border location, which makes it prone to cross-border movement of illegal arms.
Governor Kefas therefore reaffirmed the commitment of the state to supporting the NCCSALW and implementing deliberate security-focused initiatives to make the state more safer.
Earlier, the NCCSALW zonal coordinator praised the Governor’s efforts in the area of security and highlighted the agency’s mandate of regulating the movement of illicit arms, which are causing security threat to Nigeria.
He urged the state government to not only partner with the NCCSALW, but also promote sustained public education campaigns on the dangers of illegal weapons to the safety of communities.
Major General Adamu also urged other stakeholders including security forces, traditional leaders, youth, and religious institutions to collaborate with the NCCSALW to stop the circulation of small arms and light weapons in the state.
The NCCSALW was established in 2021 under the Office of the National Security Adviser to curtail the trafficking and circulation of small arms and light weapons through strategic policy and inter-agency cooperation.
