The South-South Zonal Office of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has increased coordination with Calabar transport unions to combat the spread of illicit firearms.
At a sensitisation session on Wednesday, drivers and transport union officials were urged to collaborate closely with the Centre to prevent illicit weaponry from being transported through the transport system, thereby improving public safety and community security.
Dr. Alex Inemah Ebimiebo, South-South Zonal Coordinator, spoke at the event and identified transport operators as essential partners in combating insecurity, stating that the engagement was intended to increase awareness and operational collaboration.
“Transporters are indispensable stakeholders in the fight against illegal arms movement,” stated the minister.
Ebimiebo said that the Centre, which was created on May 3, 2021 under Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, is overseen by the Office of the National Security Adviser and has headquarters in Abuja as well as six zonal offices around the country, including the South-South hub in Calabar.
He observed that the spread of small guns remains a major source of global instability.
He believes that the availability of firearms fuels the majority of violent crimes, such as terrorism, armed robbery, and communal disputes.
He described arms proliferation as a global concern, emphasising that nations around the world are implementing purposeful control measures to prevent access to illegal weapons and minimise violence.
Ebimiebo educated participants on the nature of illicit arms by listing weapons like as AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, pistols, and locally made firearms, emphasising that any weapon obtained outside of permitted channels is still unlawful.
He went on to say that in Nigeria, the possession of firearms requires a police licence, and ammunition is a significant component of the proliferation issue.
He advised transporters not to accept suspicious bags or inducements from travellers wishing to dodge examination.
“Anyone who discourages you from checking bags or offers extra payment should be concerned. “Reject inducements to protect yourself and society,” he urged.
Barr, the zonal legal adviser, is also speaking. Endurance Asim-Ita reminded drivers about the legal ramifications of transporting persons armed with illegal weapons, emphasising that both vehicle owners and drivers might face prosecution.
She underlined that ignorance of the law did not exempt anyone from culpability.
Asim-Ita also asked transport companies to implement strong compliance measures, such as mandated luggage checks and enforceable internal security standards, to avoid operators from unintentionally helping illegal activities.
Representatives of transport operators, including Mr. Ikechi Emmanuel of Cross Lines Company Limited, praised the initiative, adding that registered transport firms already have organised screening procedures in place, but unregistered operators pose greater security threats due to poor compliance.
Participants, including officials from the Akwa Ibom Transport Company and the Unified Transport Union of Calabar, shared operational experiences and proposed practical measures to improve cooperation among transporters, security agencies, and regulators in combating the movement of illegal arms across the region.