Mohamed Garba
Nigeria’s National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) is pushing for a comprehensive review of the 1959 Firearms Act. The centre’s Director-General, Johnson Kokumo, emphasized the need for an update, citing the dramatic evolution of global security landscapes and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Kokumo stressed that the current act, which has guided Nigerians for over six decades, is no longer sufficient. He pointed to the emergence of transnational threats, porous borders, and sophisticated illicit markets as factors that necessitate a review.
What once served as a baseline for firearms regulation must now be updated to reflect the complex realities we face today.
“Realities shared by regional established porous borders, sophisticated illicit markets, and rapidly advancing technologies.
“This workshop provides us with an invaluable opportunity to address these challenges systematically by bringing together key stakeholders, government ministries, security agencies, legal experts, civil society, and international partners.
“We aim to scrutinize the existing provisions of the firearms act, identify gaps, and propose amendments that align with global best practices.
“We must incorporate the provisions of relevant international conventions, strengthen our oversight mechanisms, ensure reliable tracking and registration systems, and refine our penalties to deter and punish offenders effectively,’’ he said.
The NCCSALW aims to address these challenges through collaborative efforts with government ministries, security agencies, legal experts, civil society, and international partners. The centre seeks to:
The President of GOLHD Centre, Dickson Orji, echoed the need for a review, stating that illicit arms embolden non-state actors and criminals. He emphasized the importance of creating strategies to address the problem of firearms use and misuse in Nigeria.
