‘Nigeria now arms destination’
The Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons has raised an alarm over Nigeria’snew situation as a major destination of arms trade and not just a transit point. The Chairman of the Committee, Ambassador Emmanuel Imoghen expressed this concern when he led the committee on a courtesy visit to the Director General, National Orientation […]
The Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons has raised an alarm over Nigeria’snew situation as a major destination of arms trade and not just a transit point.
The Chairman of the Committee, Ambassador Emmanuel Imoghen expressed this concern when he led the committee on a courtesy visit to the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri.
Ambassador Imoghen lamented the persistence of small arms trade targeting Nigeria, citing the presence of ethnic militia across the country as a major factor influencing the trade which he said was supplying and sustaining the militancy situation in the country.
He stressed the need for the immediate domestication and implementation of various international protocols and treaties on small arms and light weapons to which Nigeria was already a signatory and requested the support of the NOA in the campaign to sensitize Nigerians against the illicit trade.
Responding, the NOA Director General, Mr. Mike Omeri said it was regrettable that the motive of most manufacturers and marketers of small arms and light weapons across the world was to promote violence rather than to facilitate peace. He however implored Nigerians to discountenance anyone or group that promotes violence.
Omeri lent his voice to the call for the immediate domestication of international protocols and treaties aimed at stemming the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. He also assured the visiting committee of the support of the NOA for the campaign, pledging the availability of the Agency’s staff for that purpose. He further disclosed that NOA would soon launch the “Do the Right Thing: Stop Illegal Use of Small Arms and Light Weapons” campaign to bolster the committee’s efforts.