Centre Advocates for Stronger Border Security Against Arms

The Centre is calling for stronger border security and collaboration to address arms proliferation in Nigeria. Abiodun Alamutu, the southwest zonal director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), emphasized that the country's porous borders significantly hinder efforts to combat the distribution of small arms.

Alamutu noted that there are an estimated five million firearms circulating illegally in Nigeria, necessitating a collaborative approach involving security agencies, community leaders, and the judiciary. During a seminar in Abeokuta, Alamutu discussed the importance of focusing on the illicit arms already in circulation rather than solely on border control.

He urged for active collaboration among stakeholders, including traditional rulers and NGOs, to facilitate voluntary disarmament. Bode Ojauni, the former Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, supported the need for a coordinated approach to manage seized firearms.

Dr. Kunle Olawunmi called for stronger procedural mechanisms to ensure that confiscated firearms do not re-enter society, emphasizing the importance of a robust criminal justice system.