ECOWAS committed to stopping small arms diversion, theft — Reps

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has said it remained committed to assisting member-states in preventing diversions and theft of small arms within the region.

The representative of ECOWAS, Mr. Ahoba Joseph, at the inauguration of multi national small arms and ammunition group course, in Kaduna, said the commission would continue to demonstrate strong commitment towards addressing threats to peace, security and stability in the region.

According to the ECOWAS representative, the commission was ready to support its members in strengthening the physical security and safety of security forces’ armouries of its members, so that issues of leakages, diversion or theft are abated.

Joseph said in the next five years, the intervention would deliver to the region a pool of instructors and senior instructors.

The Commandant, Peacekeeping Centre, Maj-Gen Abubakar Tarfa explained that the course could not have come at a better time than now, when the region is confronted with proliferation of small arms.