FG, NYSC Move to Tackle Growing Arms Threat Across Nigeria

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to address the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in Nigeria through a new collaboration involving the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The initiative is aimed at engaging corps members in efforts to promote peace, security and public awareness about the dangers associated with the circulation of illegal firearms across the country.

The Northeast Zonal Director of the NCCSALW, Maj. Gen. Abubakar Adamu (retd.), disclosed this on Friday while speaking at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bauchi State.

According to Adamu, corps members are strategically positioned to contribute to the campaign because of their presence in communities across the country during their service year.

He explained that corps members could use their places of primary assignment to educate members of the public and support advocacy efforts aimed at creating communities free from illicit arms.

Adamu noted that the collaboration between the NCCSALW and corps members in Borno and Yobe states had already produced encouraging results, adding that the experience demonstrated the important role young Nigerians could play in strengthening community security.

He therefore urged corps members serving across the North-East to actively participate in initiatives designed to discourage the possession, movement and use of illegal small arms and light weapons.

The NCCSALW official stressed that tackling the spread of illicit arms requires collective action from government agencies, security organisations, communities and young people.

The partnership with the NYSC is expected to strengthen grassroots awareness and encourage corps members to serve as advocates for peace and responsible citizenship in their host communities.

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