The National Centre for the Control of Small weaponry and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has successfully received 130 recovered illicit weaponry from Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), under the command of Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, who also oversees security in Plateau State.
Major General Abubakar, who is also the General Officer Commanding the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army, revealed during the handover ceremony that the illegal weapons had been taken from criminal elements during security operations carried out in accordance with the OPSH.
The breakdown of the seized weapons includes nine Harris Burg pistols, 21 locally manufactured pistols, one English pistol, two locally manufactured SMGs, 14 AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, and eight locally manufactured AK-47 rifles. 28 AK-47 magazines, three locally made magazines, one RPG7 tube, 1,522 rounds of ammo, 500 rounds of 9mm ammunition, six cartridges, and four RPG7 rockets with chargers are also included in the retrieved materials.
General Abubakar emphasized that throughout the forces’ operations, these small arms and light weapons, as well as drugs, motorcycles, and automobiles, were recovered using both kinetic and non-kinetic techniques, resulting in the successful rescue of abducted victims.
The Nigerian Federal Government developed a plan to eradicate illegal firearms in an effort to combat the needless violence and insecurity brought on by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in communities. To combat the unlawful possession and circulation of these weapons, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons was approved as part of this strategy.
In order to promote a society free from the use of illicit weapons, General Abubakar proudly remarked that OPSH has had tremendous success in reducing the circulation of such weapons.
General Abubakar proudly noted that OPSH has achieved remarkable success in curbing the circulation of illicit arms, thereby fostering a society free from the harmful effects of such weapons.
The Coordinator of the North Central Zone of NCCSALW, Major General Hamza Ibrahim Bature, commended the troops’ efforts in recovering the small arms and light weapons under the leadership of the Commander of Operation Safe Haven. He emphasized the significance of retrieving even a single weapon from unauthorized persons, as it potentially saves multiple lives. Major General Bature urged the people of Plateau State to support OPSH in its mission to create an illicit arms-free society, calling for continued collaboration through both kinetic and non-kinetic means.
“To get just one weapon out of the hands of unauthorized persons means several lives have been saved and to have recovered this quantity of recovered arms you can imagine the number of people that would have fallen if this weapon were still in their hands” Maj Gen Hi Bature (Rtd) stated
He further appealed to the media to accurately report incidents involving unauthorized persons with weapons and to support the efforts of military outfits and other armed organizations and agencies. By doing so, Nigerians can better appreciate and understand the extent of their contributions to security efforts.
