A political scientist, Prof. Ibrahim Umara, says 90 per cent of the weapons used by terrorists during the 2011-2014 conflicts in the North-East are stolen from the Nigerian Military and the Police.
The Don made the remarks at a one-day workshop on “Forfeiture Handling of Small Arms and Light Weapons by Courts after Judgment,” organised by the NCCSALW in collaboration with European Unions and UNDP..
The University of Maiduguri based-researcher, said most of the weapons were stolen through coordinated attacks on security personnel who were in frontline during the period.
Umara, however, said a number of the weapons were later recovered by the Borno government through its recovery efforts from the Boko Haram’s repentance programme which required them to return their weapons as evidence of true repentance.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. A. Adamu (rtd), North-east Zonal Coordinator, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), also announced centre’s readiness to tackle the problem of arms proliferation in the region.
He said the role of judicial officials, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in ensuring that judicial decisions on arms forfeiture translate into tangible and lasting security gains was very instructive in the circumstances.
Adamu, therefore, urged participants to engage actively, share experiences and contribute practical insight that would help strengthen procedures, close existing gaps and enhance the effective implementation of court judgments on arms forfeiture disposal.
The Director Legal Service, NCCSALW, Wing Cdr. Ufuoma Ekuerhare, spoke on the “Overview of the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act 2024.
Ekuerhare said that the Act had placed a responsibility on every Nigerian and the security agencies to enforce community leaders to report to traditional and religious institutions to preach peace in every community.
She, therefore, urged stakeholders to enlighten the youth in every community to reject the allure of violence and say no to illicit firearms and ammunition on the street, in the forest and in every home.
Also speaking, ASP Cyrus Gadzama, the Officer in Charge of Legal Department, Borno Police Command, said that if the envisioned successful prosecution of offenders and arms forfeiture occurred, the government must address issues related to weak legislation, corruption and inadequate institutional capacity.
