The House of Representatives and the Nigerian Armed Forces are teaming up to combat small arms proliferation, strengthening national security efforts
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigerian House of Representatives and the Armed Forces have vowed to work together to tackle the growing threat of small arms and light weapons proliferation, a major security and humanitarian challenge in the country.
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This commitment was reaffirmed during a high-level interactive session between the House Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons and senior military officials at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Aliyu Bappa Misau (Bauchi), emphasised the severe impact of illegal arms circulation, describing it as a national security issue that also affects the daily lives of Nigerians.
“The escalation of these weapons contributes to community distrust, violence, and instability.
Addressing this challenge is a collective responsibility that requires urgency and resolve from both lawmakers and the military,” Bappa Misau stated.
He underscored the necessity of a robust partnership between the legislature and the military, advocating for comprehensive strategies such as capacity-building programmes for security personnel, stronger policies through legislative support, and public awareness campaigns to educate communities on the dangers of illegal arms.
Representing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Air Vice Marshal Sayo Olatunde pointed to Nigeria’s porous borders as a major factor in arms smuggling.
“We need to address the root of our security problems.
One key solution is fencing our borders, as instability in neighbouring countries contributes to arms smuggling and insecurity,” Olatunde stated.
The collaboration between the House of Representatives and the Nigerian military marks a crucial move towards strengthening national security.
By addressing arms proliferation, the partnership aims to foster peace, improve public safety, and curb violent crimes across the nation.
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As discussions progress, experts stress the importance of swift implementation of proposed measures to ensure a more secure and stable Nigeria.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
