Nigeria's Federal Government is pushing civil society groups to champion efforts against illegal weapons spreading across the North-East.
Major General Adamu Abubakar (retd) issued the call on Wednesday in Maiduguri. He heads the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Abubakar spoke during the swearing-in of new leaders at the Network of Civil Society Organisations. He congratulated the newly elected executives on their appointment.
Illicit arms fuel insecurity, violence, and communal clashes across Nigeria, he warned. CSOs must intensify awareness campaigns about the dangers these weapons pose.
"Where illicit weapons stay out of non-state actors' hands, communities experience greater peace," Abubakar noted. Development and stability follow naturally in such areas, he added.
Communities without uncontrolled weapon circulation enjoy better security outcomes. This reality demands urgent action from all stakeholders.
His centre remains committed to partnering with civil society groups and community leaders. Together, they'll tackle illegal arms proliferation nationwide.
Abubakar urged participants to return home and mobilize residents. Citizens must embrace their civic responsibilities, he stressed.
Empowering communities to resist illegal weapons represents a crucial strategy. Local action drives national progress against this menace.
