Ekiti Takes Lead in Combating Arms Proliferation 

…. As Experts Converge For Seminar On Forfeiture, Handling

By Oluronke Kuku

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A one-day seminar on the forfeiture and handling of small arms and light weapons was held in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, on March 25, 2025. 

The event, organized by the South-West Zone of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), brought together experts from the various fields to discuss the critical issue of small arms and light weapons proliferation in Nigeria.

The seminar was declared open by Hon. Justice L.A. Ogunmoye, who emphasized the importance of addressing the menace of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. 

He noted that the issue was closely tied to terrorism, armed violence, and other forms of insecurity, and that the seminar was a crucial step towards finding solutions.

In his lecture, Julius Ajibare, Esq., Director of Public Prosecutions, Ekiti State, provided an in-depth examination of the legal frameworks governing small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. 

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He discussed the various conventions and protocols signed by Nigeria, including the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act, 2024.

Ajibare, also highlighted the functions of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), which included implementing strategies for the eradication of small arms and light weapons, supervising the implementation of laws and policies, and creating a national database of small arms and light weapons.

The proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria was identified as a major challenge, with various factors contributing to the problem. These include the porosity of Nigeria’s borders, conflict and instability, corruption, illegal manufacturing and trading, and poor arms control.

The seminar also explored the lifecycle of a gun, from manufacture to disposal, and the various ways in which small arms and light weapons could be repurposed or reused. 

The use of forfeited weapons by law enforcement agencies was also discussed, with experts highlighting the risks and benefits of such a practice.

In his closing remarks, Deputy Inspector General of Police Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (Rtd) emphasized the importance of collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders in combating the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. 

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He commended the organizers of the seminar and expressed his commitment to supporting the efforts of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

The seminar was attended by various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and civil society organizations. 

Participants engaged in robust discussions and shared their experiences and expertise, providing valuable insights into the complex issue of small arms and light weapons proliferation.

The event was a significant step towards addressing the menace of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria, and it was expected that the recommendations and outcomes of the seminar would inform policy and practice in the coming months and years.

The seminar in Ekiti State is a timely and important contribution to this effort, and it is hoped that it will mark the beginning of a sustained and coordinated effort to combat this menace.

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The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has been established to coordinate and implement activities to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. 

The Centre is expected to play a critical role in addressing the challenge of small arms and light weapons proliferation in Nigeria.

In addition to the establishment of the NCCSALW, the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act, 2024 provides a legal framework for addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. The Act provides for the control of small arms and light weapons, and establishes penalties for offenses related to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

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The seminar in Ekiti State was a significant step towards implementing the provisions of the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act, 2024, and it is expected that it will mark the beginning of a sustained effort to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.

As the Nigerian government continues to grapple with the challenges of insecurity and violence, the importance of addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons cannot be overstated. The seminar in Ekiti State was a timely and important contribution to this effort, and it is hoped that it will mark the beginning of a sustained and coordinated effort to combat this menace.

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