Why We Must Deal With Small Arms Proliferation Now : Yemi Osinbajo Vice president Nigeria

The Vice president of Nigeria in chairs review panel to develop strategies about dealing on small arms proliferation today discussed why it’s needed and how it will be applied.

A clear cut set of strategies to curb and curtail the proliferation of small and light weapons would be developed soon, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo hinted this at a meeting he held this morning with top security chiefs and members of the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons on the instruction of the President.

At the last National Security Council meeting, President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Vice President to chair a committee to review the report of the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM) constituted in April 2013 by the then Federal Government.

In line with that Presidential directive, Prof. Osinbajo on Monday chaired the inaugural meeting of the review committee, calling for the development of clear cut, specific line of action to address the serious problems of small arms and light weapons many of which fuel the insurgency in the Northeast and other security challenges in the country.

The Vice President noted that the seriousness of the matter had necessitated the setting up of the review committee said, “the problem we have at hand is really enormous”, adding that this is why the President is keen on effective and prompt solutions.

Members of the review committee present at the meeting include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami; the Ministers of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno; the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu; the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd); Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman; and the Chairman of PRESCOM, Amb. Emmanuel Imohe.

Others include the representatives of the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Ministry of Defence.

Most of the small Arms are either used to harm some animal or person, with no real rule or use for self protection for which they are allowed. I personally believe these should be banned or stopped for better. Although Nigeria’s legal system does not encourage possession of fire arms by persons other than security operatives and individuals licensed by police authority, there have been cases of illegal possession of arms in the country which should be stopped and take seriously for better.

News Main Source : Official Website of Vice President of Nigeria. Content is edited to express Author Views.