The Niger state House of Assembly Tuesday passed a resolution urging Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to liaise with the military in ensuring that bandits are flushed out of the largest military training camp in Kontagora area of the state.
The House noted with serious concerns that the training camp situated at the Nagwamase Military Cantonment in Kontagora, headquarters of Kontagora local government area of the state, had been taken over by bandits in recent days.
In a motion of urgent public importance brought by the member representing Kontagora II of the state constituency, Abdullahi Isah, the lawmakers raised the alarm over the occupation of military training camps by bandits, explaining that the gunmen had already displaced over 23 communities spreading across Kontagora and Mariga local government areas of the state.
According to him, “this military camp is now known to have been taken over by bandits who are said to have established at least eight different camps in the area. The presence of the bandits on this training camp which now serves as their safe haven has posed serious security challenges to communities within the camp both in Kontagora and Mariga local government areas”
He said following the occupation of the training camp by the bandits, over 23 farming communities within the camp had relocated due to incessant attacks by the gunmen.
“I also want this Honourable House to note that in the last one month, communities within the training camp have come under intense attacks from the bandits who operate with impunity. Unfortunately, some members of the communities have been abducted during recent invasions of these communities and are still being held by the gunmen,” the lawmaker further noted.
He urged the House to note that “the Nagwamase Military Cantonment, Kontagora hosts the largest military training camp in Nigeria where personnel of the artillery corps of the Nigerian Army undergo training. But the training camp has been taken over by bandits.”
After an intensive debate on the matter, the Assembly resolved to back the state governor in providing the needed logistic support to flush out the bandits, urging him to immediately liaise with the military in this regard.
…Nigeria seeks regional front against illicit arms
Meanwhile, the federal government has advocated stronger regional efforts to counter the threats posed by the proliferation of small arms and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the West Africa sub-region.
This call was made Tuesday by the Director-General, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, at the opening of the ECOWAS Coordination Meeting of National Commissions on Small Arms, in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kokumo, who represented Nigeria at the meeting, spoke on the theme: “Countering Improvised Explosive Devices, Promoting Administration and Management of Small Arms and Light Weapons, and Regulating Craft Weapons Production in the ECOWAS Region.”
Kokumo said the meeting reinforced the joint efforts towards curbing the menace of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and IEDs, which remained a pressing security challenge facing the region.
He said the challenge of small arms proliferation and IEDs threats transcended individual borders and therefore demanded a robust and unified response.
He commended the ECOWAS for its relentless dedication to regional peace and security, and reiterated the willingness of the federal government to work hand-in-hand with its brothers and sisters in the region.
“This coordination meeting therefore provides a unique platform to further consolidate our strategies, align our goals and ensure that our national actions contribute meaningfully to regional stability.
“The threats posed by the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, the rising misuse of improvised explosive devices present us with a unique and urgent call to action.
“Our collective work here reflects a fundamental truth, that is, no one nation can tackle these complex challenges alone.
“Together, through concerted action and commitment, we can make our communities safer, our borders more secure and our region a beacon of peace and resilience,” he said.
Kokumo said the Nigerian government had consistently demonstrated its resolve to continue to counter the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
He said the assent to the NCCSALW Act 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had empowered the centre to serve as Nigeria’s primary agency in SALW control in the country.
According to him, this new Act aligns the National Centre with Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on SALW as well as the UN Programme of Action to combat illicit arms trade.
He said the act had also empowered the centre to develop more robust and sustainable strategies for arms control and reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its international and regional obligations.
According to him, NCCSALW had destroyed thousands of illicit arms, spearheaded training programmes for weapons marking and embarked on advocacy and sensitisation efforts.
“These efforts have been strengthened by a rigorous partnership with civil society, security agencies and state governments to enhance arms control and accountability.
“Earlier this month, over 2,400 illegal weapons were destroyed while we have also facilitated enhanced training to better address issues related to improvised explosive devices,” he added.