By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), North-East Zonal Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu is seeking collaboration of the Judiciary in tackling the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in the subregion.
The assertion was made by Maj:-Gen. Abubakar Adamu (Rtd), the North-East Zonal Director of NCCSALW, when he led a team of the Centre on a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of Borno State, Hon. Justice Kashim Zannah, in Maiduguri.
Abubakar Adamu explained that the Centre would organize a capacity building workshop soon, which would focus on the forfeiture, handling, custody and disposal of Small Arms and Light Weapons by courts after judgment in order to ensure that the collaboration was effective.
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 North East Zone.
Abubakar Adamu, who requested the Chief Judge to serve as the Special Guest of Honour during the workshop, sought for his support and that of the Judiciary in sensitizing 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-judgment 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, saying that the Northeast Zonal Centre which has its headquarters in Maiduguri, has jurisdiction over Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States.
The Zonal Director reaffirmed the commitment of the NCCSALW in 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 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 co-operation 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 North East Zone at large.
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