Tinubu Signs Bill to Establish National Arms Control Centre – Ribadu

President Bola Tinubu has signed into law a bill establishing the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), marking a significant move in Nigeria’s efforts to combat the proliferation of illegal arms, according to National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.

Speaking at a workshop on “Gender Mainstreaming in Preventing the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria and the West African Sub-region,” held in Abuja on Tuesday, Mr. Ribadu highlighted the importance of this legislative milestone. He was represented by Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of External Affairs at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The NSA stated that President Tinubu’s assent to the bill reinforces the government’s commitment to tackling the illegal arms trade, enhancing the centre’s mandate to implement more coordinated and decisive actions. Ribadu also stressed the need to incorporate gender perspectives in addressing the issue, which disproportionately affects women and children in conflict zones.

The workshop, organized by NCCSALW, draws on key international frameworks such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which advocates for the protection of women in conflict and their active participation in peace and security efforts. Ribadu highlighted the role of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, emphasizing the shared responsibility of West African nations in controlling the spread of these weapons.

“The importance of gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of SALW cannot be overstated as it strengthens our strategies, and ensures that our approach to security is inclusive and sustainable,” Ribadu added, commending the centre for its ongoing efforts.

Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Johnson Kokumo, the National Coordinator of NCCSALW, lauded the centre’s recent successes. Notably, on July 1, the centre retrieved a large cache of illegal arms from the Nigeria Customs Service and arrested 10 suspects involved in illicit arms importation. The suspects are currently facing prosecution for offenses, including the illegal importation of 544 firearms and over 112,000 rounds of ammunition.

Kokumo further disclosed that the NCCSALW has retrieved 3,383 decommissioned, unserviceable, and illegal small arms and 26,749 rounds of ammunition from government agencies. Later this quarter, the centre plans to conduct an Arms Destruction Exercise to ensure these weapons are permanently removed from circulation.

Addressing the broader implications, Kokumo emphasized that controlling the flow of small arms is not just a national priority but also an international one. The illegal trade of these weapons fuels violence and instability worldwide, making gender-sensitive approaches to disarmament crucial for effective peacebuilding.

“This workshop is a significant step in ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated into national and regional strategies for Small Arms and Light Weapons control,” Kokumo concluded.