The Niger state Home of Meeting Tuesday handed a decision urging Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to liaise with the navy in guaranteeing that bandits are flushed out of the biggest navy coaching camp in Kontagora space of the state.
The Home famous with severe considerations that the coaching camp located on the Nagwamase Army Cantonment in Kontagora, headquarters of Kontagora native authorities space of the state, had been taken over by bandits in current days.
In a movement of pressing public significance introduced by the member representing Kontagora II of the state constituency, Abdullahi Isah, the lawmakers raised the alarm over the occupation of navy coaching camps by bandits, explaining that the gunmen had already displaced over 23 communities spreading throughout Kontagora and Mariga native authorities areas of the state.
In keeping with him, “this navy camp is now identified to have been taken over by bandits who’re stated to have established no less than eight totally different camps within the space. The presence of the bandits on this coaching camp which now serves as their secure haven has posed severe safety challenges to communities inside the camp each in Kontagora and Mariga native authorities areas”
He stated following the occupation of the coaching camp by the bandits, over 23 farming communities inside the camp had relocated as a result of incessant assaults by the gunmen.
“I additionally need this Honourable Home to notice that within the final one month, communities inside the coaching camp have come below intense assaults from the bandits who function with impunity. Sadly, some members of the communities have been kidnapped throughout current invasions of those communities and are nonetheless being held by the gunmen,” the lawmaker additional famous.
He urged the Home to notice that “the Nagwamase Army Cantonment, Kontagora hosts the biggest navy coaching camp in Nigeria the place personnel of the artillery corps of the Nigerian Military endure coaching. However the coaching camp has been taken over by bandits.”
After an intensive debate on the matter, the Meeting resolved to again the state governor in offering the wanted logistic help to flush out the bandits, urging him to right away liaise with the navy on this regard.
…Nigeria seeks regional entrance in opposition to illicit arms
In the meantime, the federal authorities has advocated stronger regional efforts to counter the threats posed by the proliferation of small arms and Improvised Explosive Gadgets (IEDs) within the West Africa sub-region.
This name was made Tuesday by the Director-Basic, Nationwide Centre for the Management of Small Arms and Gentle Weapons (NCCSALW), retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, on the opening of the ECOWAS Coordination Assembly of Nationwide Commissions on Small Arms, in Abuja.
The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) experiences that Kokumo, who represented Nigeria on the assembly, spoke on the theme: “Countering Improvised Explosive Gadgets, Selling Administration and Administration of Small Arms and Gentle Weapons, and Regulating Craft Weapons Production within the ECOWAS Area.”
Kokumo stated the assembly bolstered the joint efforts in direction of curbing the menace of the proliferation of small arms and lightweight weapons and IEDs, which remained a urgent safety problem dealing with the area.
He stated the problem of small arms proliferation and IEDs threats transcended particular person borders and subsequently demanded a strong and unified response.
He counseled the ECOWAS for its relentless dedication to regional peace and safety, and reiterated the willingness of the federal authorities to work hand-in-hand with its brothers and sisters within the area.
“This coordination assembly subsequently supplies a novel platform to additional consolidate our methods, align our objectives and be sure that our nationwide actions contribute meaningfully to regional stability.
“The threats posed by the proliferation of illicit small arms and lightweight weapons, the rising misuse of improvised explosive units current us with a novel and pressing name to motion.
“Our collective work right here displays a basic reality, that’s, nobody nation can sort out these advanced challenges alone.
“Collectively, by way of concerted motion and dedication, we will make our communities safer, our borders safer and our area a beacon of peace and resilience,” he stated.
Kokumo stated the Nigerian authorities had constantly demonstrated its resolve to proceed to counter the proliferation of small arms and lightweight weapons.
He stated the assent to the NCCSALW Act 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had empowered the centre to function Nigeria’s major company in SALW management within the nation.
In keeping with him, this new Act aligns the Nationwide Centre with Article 24 of the ECOWAS Conference on SALW in addition to the UN Programme of Motion to fight illicit arms commerce.
He stated the act had additionally empowered the centre to develop extra sturdy and sustainable methods for arms management and reaffirms Nigeria’s dedication to fulfilling its worldwide and regional obligations.
In keeping with him, NCCSALW had destroyed hundreds of illicit arms, spearheaded coaching programmes for weapons marking and launched into advocacy and sensitisation efforts.
“These efforts have been strengthened by a rigorous partnership with civil society, safety companies and state governments to reinforce arms management and accountability.
“Earlier this month, over 2,400 unlawful weapons had been destroyed whereas we’ve got additionally facilitated enhanced coaching to raised tackle points associated to improvised explosive units,” he added.