Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has called for decisive and coordinated action to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, warning that their spread among bandits and criminal networks remains one of the gravest threats to peace and national security.

The governor made the appeal while receiving the Zonal Director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), retired Deputy Director General Abdul Adamu Eneche, and his delegation at the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos.

Mutfwang expressed concern over Nigeria’s porous borders, which he said have enabled the influx and circulation of illegal weapons, emboldening non-state actors and worsening insecurity.
“It is very worrisome that a large number of arms and ammunition have found their way into the hands of non-state actors,” he said.

Highlighting recent security breakthroughs in Plateau State, the governor disclosed that security agencies had intercepted and seized over 40 AK-47 rifles — a development he said underscores both the scale of the problem and the vigilance of security operatives.

He urged the NCCSALW to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling illegal arms networks while ensuring that legitimate self-defence efforts are not mischaracterized.

“Let’s go after the real criminals. We must activate and strengthen our intelligence networks to intercept these arms. Where necessary, we will invest in intelligence gathering. As a government, we have directed all our local government chairmen to penetrate the criminal networks of those glamorized as bandits but who, in truth, are dangerous criminals and murderers,” Mutfwang said.

The governor pledged his administration’s commitment to work with federal agencies and security stakeholders to reinforce peace and security across the state.

In his remarks, Zonal Director Eneche commended the Plateau State Government for its strong support of law enforcement efforts, describing the state as a vital partner in the national campaign against arms proliferation.

He reaffirmed NCCSALW’s readiness to collaborate with the state in intelligence gathering, public sensitization, and enforcement operations to stem the flow of small arms and light weapons.

The meeting underscored a shared resolve between Plateau State and the NCCSALW to deepen collaboration in safeguarding lives, proper