FG, Transport Workers, Herders to Curb Waybill, Proliferation of Arms

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Northeast Zonal Centre, under the Office of the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu has partnered with road transport workers and cattle breeders to curb waybill and proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in Northeastern states of Nigeria.

Speaking during an engagement with officials of the National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Borno Express, Maiduguri, Maj-:Gen Abubakar Adamu (Rtd), the Northeast Zonal Director of NCCSALW, reiterated the commitment of the centre to curb the menace of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the state.

He explained to the stakeholders that trafficking of these small arms and light weapons through motor parks and public transport services in concealed waybills or personal luggage is an issue of interest to the Centre.

While highlighting the key roles that transport unions and motor parks managers could implement to ensure an arms free society, the Zonal Director urged the stakeholders to take ownership of their communities and adopt a community-based approach.

He called on them to collaborate with the Centre and support efforts geared towards sensitizing the public on dangers of the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the country.

“This engagement aligns with broader NCCSALW objectives and underscores the North East Zonal Centre’s commitment to work harmoniously with stakeholders to strengthen Borno State’s security posture,” he said.

In their separate reactions, Abba Shuwa Baba, Chairman of NURTW, Abba Jiddah Bishara, Chairman of NARTO and Saminu Yakubu, Manager of Borno Express all expressed readiness to collaborate with the Centre and pledged their support.

The interactive session provided an insight on the stakeholders’ commendable efforts and achievements such as the arrest of several arms couriers in their respective motor parks and terminals.

However, they expressed concern over lack of accountability and transparency in the prosecution of suspects by authorities, alleging that most of the people apprehended with arms and ammunition in the motor parks are serving military and security personnel.

They also expressed frustration over the lack of feedback from authorities on disciplinary action taken against those arrested.

Additionally, it was observed during the engagement that the spring up of illegal motor parks outside government approved locations pose a serious security challenge which aids the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the state.

There was consensus amongst the stakeholders on the need for the government to enhance security presence in motor parks and close all illegal motor parks just as the call for feedback on reported cases to motivate the stakeholders was amplified.

Similarly, the Centre visited the International Cattle Market in Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe state where it held a stakeholder sensitization meeting with the State Chairman, Amalgamated Cattle breeders Association of Nigeria, the representative of the Emir of Fika and Mai Patiskum in charge of livestock, Miyetti Allah officials, amongst others.

The meeting focused on identifying practical strategies to mitigate the proliferation of SALW in Yobe State. This engagement aligns with the Centre’s mandate to promote community-level security collaboration and reinforces the Centre’s commitment to work closely with local stakeholders.

The Northeast Zonal Director urged market leaders and traditional ruler to take ownership of community safety efforts, emphasizing a community-based approach to combating arms proliferation in Northeast.

In their responses, the State Chairman of the Amalgamated Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Hamza Nguru and the Executive Chairman of Potiskum LGA, Hon. Ado Gojun, appreciated the Centre’s outreach efforts to the grassroots communities and pledged continued partnership and support and requested more frequent engagements with the Centre.

The Centre also paid a working visit to Brig:-Gen D. Abdussalam, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Executive Governor of Yobe State.