By Oki O Samson
CITIZENS COMPASS— The Director of the Southwest zone of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), CP Abiodun Alamutu, (retd) on his Lagos tour has paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).
The visit was aimed at seeking their support for the activities in the State. Noting that every security agency in Lagos has benefited immensely from LSSTF, the former CP of Ogun State called on the LSSTF Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan to put his organization into due consideration. National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
Alamutu highlighted in his visit that ‘the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons NCCSALW is set out to prevent and control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in our society.’
He added that, ‘The Center was established on the 3rd of May 2021, by the then President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammad Buhari GCFR, in accordance with Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons. This establishment was made via a verbal directive.
However, the bill establishing the Center was passed in 2024 by the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.’
The Center domiciled in the Office of National Security Adviser has ‘offices in the Six geopolitical zones of the country’, Alamutu stated. ‘I represent the South West. Our personnel are drawn from all security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, the Nigeria Police, DSS and other security agencies. We are here today primarily to seek your support and to join us in the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.’
The Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan hailing the NCCSALW for its set goals and programs noted ‘the responsibility of preventing and controlling the proliferation of small arms and light weapons is an arduous task that must be done going by the intensity of security challenges that Nigeria is faced with currently almost all over the country.’
Ogunsan thanked the National Coordinator, DIG Johnson Kokumo retd. and the Southwest zonal director, CP Abiodun Alamutu retd for their commitment. He then pledged the support of the LSSTF for their efforts in Lagos. ‘For us at LSSTF, we are focused on supporting initiatives and agencies that will keep Lagos State safe and secured. I can assure you that NCCSALW will also enjoy our support in terms of logistics, equipment, and capacity building of its officers.’
