National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), North-East Zonal Centre, under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has partnered with traditional rulers to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the region.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, the Northeast Zonal Coordinator of NCCSALW, Northeast Zonal Centre, Maj-Gen Abubakar Adamu (rtd), explained that the partnership became imperative due to the crucial roles traditional rulers play in shaping society.

He emphasised that with the involvement of monarchs in the crusade, insecurity would be tamed. His words: “Please sir, we want you to help us look into these things, and help us fight the proliferation of illicit weapons.

“We want your total involvement in advocating and campaigning against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, and we believe that with your collaboration with us in this regard, issues of insecurity will be reduced to the barest minimum.”

“I believe without this, there will be no banditry, violence, cultism, political thuggery, Boko Haram, ISWAP and others.

“As part of the efforts of the Federal Government to curtail and fight the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, that is why the NCCSALW was created.

“It is part of the responsibility of this NCCSALW to be advocating, sensitising communities and key stakeholders on the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.”

Responding, the Shehu pledged to mobilise all traditional rulers to work with the centre to address the menace in the state.