The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Northeast Zonal Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, has advocated for greater collaboration with the Judiciary toward tackling the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the Northeast subregion.
The Northeast Zonal Director of NCCSALW, Maj. Gen. Abubakar Adamu (Rtd), made the call in Maiduguri on Monday when he led a delegation of the centre on a courtesy visit to Hon. Justice Kashim Zannah, the Chief Judge of Borno State.
According to him, to ensure effective collaboration, the centre plans to organise a capacity-building workshop soon, focusing on the forfeiture, handling, custody, and disposal of small arms and light weapons by courts after judgement.
He stated that the workshop is intended to enhance institutional capacity and promote uniform best practices among judges, magistrates, and prosecutors handling firearms-related cases; law enforcement agencies; and other relevant stakeholders across the Northeast Zone.
Adamu, who requested the Chief Judge to serve as the Special Guest of Honour during the workshop, sought his support and that of the Judiciary in sensitising judicial officers and legal practitioners on the provisions and implications of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Act, 2024, particularly as it relates to prosecution, forfeiture procedures, and post-judgement handling of seized arms.
He further explained that NCCSALW was established by an act of the National Assembly in 2024 to curb the proliferation, illicit possession, trafficking, and misuse of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.
Retired Maj. General Adamu said that the Northeast Zonal Centre, which has its headquarters in Maiduguri, has jurisdiction over Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the NCCSALW to sustaining collaboration with the Judiciary to strengthen legal frameworks, improve judicial processes, and ensure effective control, accountability, and lawful management of recovered small arms and light weapons.
Responding, the Chief Judge in the state appreciated the visit and commended the Centre for its efforts in addressing the menace of illicit arms proliferation in the region.
He expressed willingness to participate in the proposed workshop and assured the Centre of the cooperation of judges and magistrates under his jurisdiction and pledged the judiciary’s continued support to the NCCSALW in the discharge of its statutory mandate, in accordance with the law.
The visit was concluded with mutual expressions of appreciation and a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between the Judiciary and the NCCSALW in the interest of peace, security, and justice in Borno State and the Northeast Zone at large.
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