The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Aminu Chinade, has praised the establishment of the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons as being both timely and appropriate given the country’s current security situation. During a courtesy visit to the GOC in his office by Mr Shola Akinlade and his team, the Zonal Coordinator for the South West of the Center, General Chinade, made this statement.
This was contained in a statement released to journalists in Port Harcourt by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Ekeocha, the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 2 Division Nigerian Army on 17 November 2022.
Although the GOC praised the National Security Advisor for creating the center, he expressed his happiness and encouragement over the calibre of individuals selected to work there. The Zonal Coordinator and the entire staff of the center were urged by the GOC to stay focused on their primary tasks as Nigerians were watching and equally depending on them to purge the nation of illicit weapons and arms. The center would continue receiving support and help, the GOC added.
Mr Shola Akinlade, the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons’ Zonal Coordinator for the South West, had earlier stated that they had come to the Division to request the support and collaboration of the military in the region to carry out their duties and mandate.
To accomplish its goal of seizing all illegal small guns and light weapons in the hands of unauthorized people in the nation, Mr Akinlade drew attention to the fact that the center relies mostly on the military. Indicating that everyone is a stakeholder in this process, he disclosed that the center plans to do this by giving the security agencies the proper information and intelligence, through advocacy, and awareness.