FG To Develop Clear Cut Strategies To Curb Proliferation Of Small Arms,Light Weapons

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has assured that the Federal Government would soon develop a clear-cut set of strategies to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country.

According to a statement by his media aide, Laolu Akande, Professor Osinbajo chaired the inaugural meeting of the committee in line with the directive of the President.

The Vice President who gave the assurance on Monday at a meeting with top security chiefs and members of the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Abuja , called for the development of a clear-cut, specific line of action to address the proliferation problems of small arms and light weapons.

The vice president lamented that this fuelled the insurgency in the North East and other security challenges in the country.

He noted that the seriousness of the matter had necessitated the setting up of the review committee.

Members of the committee present at the meeting included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami; the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama.

Others were the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd); the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu; and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd).

Also in attendance were the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman; and the Chairman of PRESCOM, Ambassador Emmanuel Imohe.

The representatives of the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Ministry of Defence were also present.