Air Vice Marshall Haruna Umar Mohammed (Rtd), the Zonal Coordinator of the North West National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), is determined to eliminate small arms and light weapons in the region.Â
During his recent official visit to Jigawa and Kano States, he assured the public that the center, tasked with formulating and implementing strategies to eradicate weapon proliferation, had successfully recovered over 5,000 arms and light weapons, along with more than 20,000 dangerous ammunition last year.
AVM Mohammed (Rtd) emphasized that the recovered weapons often bear trade markings, enabling the identification of their source countries and manufacturers.
He expressed confidence in the center’s continuous efforts, stating, “We are working round the clock, and by the grace of the Almighty, we will achieve our mission.”
The Zonal Coordinator engaged with various security agencies during his visit, including the 26 Armoured Brigade Dutse, Department of State Security Services (DSS), Jigawa State Police Command, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Correctional Center.
Additionally, he visited the Government House Dutse, updating Governor Malam Umar Namadi on the center’s activities and seeking government support for a weapon-free society to enhance socio-economic development and citizens’ well-being.
In Kano, AVM Mohammed (Rtd) continued his tour of security formations, addressing the mandate given to the center by the National Security Adviser’s office to end the vicious circle of small arms and light weapons for a safer Nigeria.
The 3 Brigade Nigerian Army was the first point of call, where the Zonal Coordinator informed Brigadier General Jami’u Are about the center’s role in taking over small arms and ammunition recovered by security agencies in the region.
As part of the outreach, AVM Mohammed (Rtd) demonstrated the center’s activities on small arms and light weapons to approximately 1,800 newly sworn-in corps members at the NYSC orientation camp in Dutse, recognizing them as critical stakeholders in the fight against weapon proliferation.
The extensive engagements and visits underscore the commitment of the NCCSALW in achieving a weapon-free environment and ensuring the safety and development of the Nigerian society.
