The Niger State government has reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting the National Centre for the control of small arms and light weapons so as to achieve its mandate of stopping the proliferation of arms in the Country.
This was contained in a statement signed by Bologi Ibrahim Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State issued to newsmen.
It said the Executive governor of Niger State, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago reaffirmed this when he received the Director General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (Rtd) who led other principal officials of the organization including the North central Zonal Director DDG Abdul Adamu Eneche on a courtesy visit at the Government House Minna.
The farmer governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government Abubakar Usman appreciated the collaborative efforts of the federal body and the State government since the establishment of its Zonal office in Minna.
Farmer Umaru Bago reassured that the fight against the menace of arms proliferation will not be left alone in the hands of the Centre as the State government will provide all the necessary tools needed to succeed.
He admitted that the State is faced with not only some security challenges that is not limited to banditry alone but other social vices which has become a threat to society.
The governor also directed the State Ministry of Lands to work out modalities of providing a suitable land for the Centre to enable it establish its State Office.
The Director General and National Coordinator, National Centre for the control of small arms and light weapons, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (Rtd) commended the farmer governor for his tremendous support to the centre in meeting with its set objectives.
He appreciated the significant role played by the farmer governor towards the provision of land and subsequent establishment of its Zonal Office in Minna.
DIG Babatunde said his visit to the State was to familiarize with the State and stakeholders in the fight against arms proliferation in the Country and admitted that, the issue remains the main driver of violent crimes across the Nation.
He said, without illicit weapons in the hands of unauthorized individuals and the hands of non-state actors, the Country will not have violent crimes which is why the Centre is working assiduously with all relevant stakeholders across the Country to stem the tide.
DIG Babatunde acknowledged the numerous strides recorded by the Centre since its establishment and reiterated even though the task has not been easy, having the nation completely free of illicit, arms-free society is achievable .
