The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army Major General Taoreed Lagbaja has assured the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) North West zone of his unflinching support and synergy. He made the pledge when he received the Coordinator NCCSALW on a visit to Headquarters 1 Division.
Speaking during the visit, the Coordinator NCCSALW Air Vice Marshal Haruna Umar Mohammed (Rtd) stated that the visit was to further cement the cordial relationship that exists between 1 Division and the Centre which he said will help in enhancing smooth cooperation. He then solicited for the assistance of the GOC on some of their upcoming exercise in the Division’s Area of Responsibility.
The Coordinator added that the NCCSALW was established on 3 May 2021 to prevent and control the proliferation of SALW in collaboration with stakeholders towards strengthening peace and security in Nigeria. He said the North West zonal office was established on 3 February 2022 and has so far retrieved about 4000 small arms and light Weapons and 14,500 assorted ammunition of different calibers.
In his remarks, the GOC 1 Division Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja commended the Coordinator for his service to the Nation and promised to cooperate and support the Centre in order to achieve the mandate of the organization. For their forthcoming exercise, he reassured the coordinator of his availability adding that his doors will always be open to the Centre.
Highlights of the visit were signing of the visitor’s book, exchange of souvenirs and group photograph.