The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSLA) has announced the commencement of a coordinated operation to retrieve illegal firearms from unauthorised individuals across states in the South-West region.
The South-West Zonal Coordinator of the Centre, CP Alamutu Mustapha (retd), made this known during a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Police Command on Thursday.
The visit, according to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, was part of a directive from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to dismantle illegal security outfits accused of extortion and harassment of citizens.
Odutola explained that the visit aimed to foster stronger collaboration between the NCCSLA and the Nigeria Police Force in addressing the proliferation 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 said.
CP Mustapha expressed concern over the growing threat posed by the circulation of illicit weapons, stressing the urgent need to curb their spread.
“He emphasised the dangers posed by the proliferation of illicit arms in the hands of unauthorised individuals and highlighted the urgent need to control and curb the circulation of such weapons,” the statement noted.
Mustapha disclosed that the NCCSLA’s mission in the South-West is to initiate a coordinated mop-up of illegally held arms and ammunition.
He added that the Centre operates across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with regional offices in Maiduguri, Kaduna, Enugu, Calabar, Minna, and Ogun State, ensuring nationwide coverage and operational efficiency.
The zonal coordinator further revealed that the renewed efforts of the agency are supported by an executive order signed by President Bola Tinubu to combat the unregulated importation and spread of small arms and light weapons.
“In his final address to the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, CP Alamutu Mustapha noted that the policies and strategies adopted by the NCCSLA are rooted in an Executive Order issued by the President,” the statement added.
The NCCSLA described the visit as a critical step towards enhancing inter-agency collaboration to achieve a safer and more secure Nigeria.
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