The Federal Government has tasked members of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on the  massive proliferation of small arms and other weapons in the Northeast region, comprising six states in the country.

According to FG, the continuous proliferation of small arms and other weapons fuel terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the North.

The Northeast Zonal Director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), called on the civil society organizations (CSOs) to take the lead in combating the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the Northeast region.

The North East Zonal Director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Maj-Gen. Adamu Abubakar (rtd) gave the task, while inaugurating the Executive Committee of the Network of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Addressing  members of the CSOs, Abubakar congratulated the newly elected executives on the confidence already reposed in them by leading the fight against the proliferation of small arms and other dangerous weapons to commit various crimes and other offences in the society

He highlighted the urgent need for civil society organizations to intensify advocacy and public awareness campaigns on the greivious dangers associated with what he described as, “the illicit spread of small arms and light weapons into communities of the 19 northern states, including Borno, Adamawa and Yobe of the Northeast region.

Regarding the lingered dangers of smallarms proliferations, the Zonal Director stated: “The uncontrolled circulation of these weapons remains one of the major drivers of insecurity, violence, criminality, and communal conflicts in many parts of the country.

“Experience has shown that where the illegal possessions of weapons are tackled, the sffected communities will  enjoy greater peace, stability, and socio-economic growth anddevelopment.

“It is, therefore important that organizations such as yours can effectively and efficiently integrate arms control advocacy, community sensitization, and conflict prevention initiatives into CSOs’ programmes and activities.

He noted that, NCCSALW remains committed to working closely with civil society organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders to address the menace of illicit arms proliferation across Nigeria.

Abubakar, therefore called on everyone of them to go back to their communitirs and ensure to empower community members and support them to become good and responsible citizens of the country.

In response, the newly inaugurated The Chairman of the Borno state chapter of the Network of Civil Society Organization, Mallam Abubakar, assured his members that they would all be carried along in the Network’s activities in the Northeast

He also pledged to champion the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the N region.