Arms control center calls for review of 1959 Firearms Act

AkoniTV December 18, 2024 SocioPolitical Leave a comment 21 Views

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has urged the Nigerian government to conduct a thorough review of the 1959 Firearms Act. The Director-General of NCCSALW, retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, made this call during a workshop held in Abuja to discuss the review of the Act.

Kokumo said that for over six decades, Nigeria has relied on a military-centric framework for arms control, which has become increasingly insufficient in addressing the evolving security landscape. He noted that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, as well as emerging transnational threats, have rendered some of the long-standing legal and operational approaches inadequate.

“We aim to scrutinise the existing provisions of the Firearms Act, identify gaps, and propose amendments that align with global best practices”, Kokumo said.

The NCCSALW Director-General emphasized the need to incorporate the provisions of relevant international conventions, strengthen oversight mechanisms, ensure reliable tracking and registration systems, and refine penalties to effectively deter and punish offenders.

Kokumo reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to working collaboratively with various stakeholders to address the proliferation of illicit arms and contribute to a safer and more secure Nigeria.