The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), are to collaborate in the fight against illicit arms proliferation in Nigeria.
The Director General of DICON, Maj.-Gen. Aniedi Edet, made the call during a courtesy visit to the centre on Thursday in Abuja.
Edet called for the deepening of collaboration between both institutions in the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.
He expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the NCCSALW, highlighting DICON’s previous role in handling faulty or obsolete weapons for arms-bearing agencies.
“Before NCCSALW was established, DICON was the place where all arms-bearing agencies brought faulty or obsolete weapons for repairs or storage.
“We still have such weapons at DICON, and I am happy that a Centre like NCCSALW has been set up and mandated to take these weapons out of circulation entirely,” he said.
In his response, the Director General of NCCSALW, retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
Kokumo said that DICON’s expertise in arms production, combined with the mandate of NCCSALW to control and eliminate illicit weapons presents unique opportunity for collaboration towards enhancing national security.
He expressed optimism about future collaborations aimed at strengthening arms control efforts and ensuring a safer and more secure Nigeria.
By Sumaila Ogbaje, NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA