The North-East Zonal Director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Major General Abubakar Adamu (rtd), has advised members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to avoid processing, possessing, and using small arms and dangerous weapons in their host communities.

Speaking over the weekend in Maiduguri to 2025 Batch B Stream I corps members, Adamu stressed that avoiding firearms is crucial in preventing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in society.

“I urge all of you to refrain from possessing and using small arms and other dangerous weapons while serving in your primary assignments in various communities in Nigeria,” he said.

Highlighting the significance of the Centre’s mandate, he added: “Your decision to avoid small arms, dangerous weapons, and illicit drugs will help promote peace and unity, and you will represent the country well wherever you serve.”

Adamu explained that the Centre’s objectives include institutionalising control of small arms and light weapons at all levels of governance, integrating eradication efforts into national discourse, and addressing problems related to small arms and light weapons.

In addition to discouraging possession of such weapons, he said: “We are tasked with leading a collaborative effort by engaging Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and civil society organisations in implementing the action plan of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nation.” He noted that the joint action is aimed at controlling and eliminating small arms and light weapons in the West African subregion.

He also emphasised the core values of accountability, integrity, professionalism, and transparency in tackling the possession and use of small arms and other dangerous weapons, pointing out that the Centre’s objectives align with ECOWAS and UN Conventions and Protocols on eradicating illicit weapons.

The NYSC State Coordinator, Naziru Bello, assured Adamu that corps members would embrace decency, peace, and unity and contribute to national stability.

“The about 1,000 corps members will effectively spread messages about the dangers of illicit small arms and dangerous weapons as ambassadors of the nation,” Bello said.