NCCSLA Launches Crackdown on Illegal Arms in South West
NCCSLA Launches Crackdown on Illegal Arms in South West
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSLA) has announced the launch of a coordinated operation aimed at retrieving illegal arms from unauthorized individuals across the South-West states.
The South-West Zonal Coordinator of the Centre, retired Commissioner of Police Alamutu Mustapha, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Police Command on Thursday.
The visit aligns with an ongoing directive from the Office of the National Security Adviser to dismantle illegal security outfits accused of extorting and harassing law-abiding citizens.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, the visit was intended to enhance collaboration between the NCCSLA and the Nigeria Police Force in curbing the spread of illegal arms.
“The primary objective of the visit was to formally introduce the roles and core responsibilities of the NCCSLA to key security stakeholders, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, which remains the lead agency for internal security in the country,” the statement read.
During the meeting, CP Mustapha raised concerns about the growing threat posed by the widespread circulation of illicit weapons.
The statement read, “He emphasised the dangers posed by the proliferation of illicit arms in the hands of unauthorised individuals.
He emphasized the urgent need to control and reduce the spread of illegal arms, stating that the NCCSLA’s mission in the South-West is to carry out a well-coordinated operation to recover unlawfully possessed weapons and ammunition.
CP Mustapha also highlighted that the Centre operates across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, with regional offices located in Maiduguri, Kaduna, Enugu, Calabar, Minna, and Ogun State. This nationwide presence, he noted, ensures comprehensive coverage and enhances operational efficiency.
He further disclosed that the agency’s renewed efforts are supported by an Executive Order signed by President Bola Tinubu, aimed at curbing the unregulated importation and circulation of small arms and light weapons throughout the country.
“In his concluding remarks to the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, CP Alamutu Abiodun reiterated that the NCCSLA’s policies and strategies are grounded in the Executive Order issued by the President,” the statement read.
According to the NCCSLA, the visit represents a significant step in strengthening inter-agency cooperation towards building a safer and more secure Nigeria.
