BEVERLY HILLS, May 03, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) to be domiciled in the office of the National Security Adviser.
The NCCSALW replaces the defunct Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
A release on Monday signed by the Head, Strategic Communication, Office of the National Security Adviser, Z.M. Usman, stated that the President had appointed Major-General (rtd) A.M. Dikko, as pioneer National Coordinator for the centre.
The centre shall serve as the institutional mechanism for policy guidance, research and monitoring of all aspects of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Nigeria.
The statement further said the centre remained part of the ongoing restructuring of Nigeria’s security architecture to address emerging threats and strengthen regional mechanisms for the control, prevention and regulation of SALW.
The NCCSALW will serve as the national focal point on SALW in Nigeria and lead a multi-stakeholder process involving government ministries, departments, agencies and the civil society in implementing all national, UN and ECOWAS plans of action on the control of SALW.
The centre will maintain international cooperation and also operate zonal offices in the six geopolitical zones to ensure quick response and effective mobilisation of resources.
The Coordinator, Dikko has served in various capacities in and outside the country.
He was a Course Director at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre and Chief Instructor of the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre.
Dikko was also a military adviser, UN office for West Africa; Director Peacekeeping Operations, Defence Headquarters; Commander Operations Last Hold; as well as Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole.
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