President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Uzair Adam

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the Bill for the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).

The announcement was made during a workshop on gender mainstreaming in efforts to prevent the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across Nigeria and the West African sub-region, held on Tuesday in Abuj.

Represented by Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of External Affairs at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Ribadu emphasized that the president’s assent marks a key step in curbing the spread of illegal arms in the country.

The legislative backing, he explained, will empower the centre to take more coordinated and impactful actions.

Ribadu also highlighted the significance of incorporating gender perspectives in efforts to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, stressing that women and children are disproportionately affected by armed conflicts.

He referenced international frameworks such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which advocates for protecting women from conflict-related harm while promoting their involvement in peacebuilding and security measures.

The National Coordinator of NCCSALW, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Johnson Kokumo, outlined recent achievements of the centre. Among them, the retrieval of a large cache of illegal arms from the Nigeria Customs Service on July 1, and the arrest of 10 individuals involved in illegal arms smuggling.

The suspects are currently being prosecuted under various national laws.Kokumo also reported that the centre has recovered over 3,000 decommissioned or obsolete small arms and nearly 27,000 rounds of ammunition from government agencies.

These will be permanently destroyed later this quarter as part of an arms destruction exercise. He underscored the importance of addressing illegal arms flow both nationally and internationally, noting that it contributes to violence and insecurity globally.

He further emphasized the necessity of adopting a gender-sensitive approach in controlling small arms and light weapons, calling it both a moral and strategic imperative given the severe impact of armed conflict on vulnerable populations.

The workshop marks a significant step in ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated into arms control strategies at both national and regional levels.

By Uzair Adam  

President Bola Tinubu announced on Monday that the Federal Government would set up a disaster relief fund to provide assistance to Nigerian citizens affected by floods and other natural disasters. 

The President made this declaration during his visit to Borno State, where he sympathised with the government and people affected by flooding in various areas due to the overflow of Alau Dam.  

He noted the urgency of the fund, citing the unpredictability of climate change and the increasing vulnerability of many regions across the country. 

President Tinubu noted that the Federal Government would collaborate with the private sector to establish the relief fund.  

He was accompanied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who expressed the National Assembly’s willingness to work with the Executive in establishing the fund. 

During his visit, Tinubu also stopped by the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn El-Kanem, an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at the Government Secondary School in Maiduguri, and toured the flood-affected areas. 

“After visiting the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp, I’ve been reflecting on how to address disasters like this and the broader effects of climate change. 

“There must be a disaster relief fund. I plan to involve the private sector in helping to rebuild the affected areas. If we allocate a small percentage of FAAC to the disaster relief fund, it will strengthen our sense of unity and responsibility,” Tinubu said.  

Tinubu expressed his gratitude to the governors who provided support to Borno State, including Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo. 

He also praised the efforts of various ministries, agencies, security forces, particularly the military, and international organizations working on evacuating victims and offering relief in the state.

By Uzair Adam President Bola Tinubu has praised the military for their successful operations against security threats in the North-West, reaffirming the nation’s confidence in the security forces’ ability to maintain peace.

According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the President’s commendation followed the recent neutralization of notorious bandit leader Halilu Sububu by troops of Operation Hadarin Daji.

Sububu had long terrorized communities in Zamfara, Sokoto, and other regions in the North-West.

In addition, security forces eliminated another high-profile terrorist, Sani Wala Burki, in a joint operation in Katsina, while dismantling a terrorist enclave in Kaduna, where 13 kidnapped students were rescued.

President Tinubu credited the military high command, intelligence agencies, and troops for their coordination, courage, and perseverance, leading to these significant breakthroughs.

He urged them to remain committed until all threats, both immediate and potential, are eradicated.“The President reassures security agencies of his continued support in achieving the goal of safeguarding the nation,” Onanuga stated.