Reps Vow To Curb Arms Proliferation

The House of Representatives has pledged its commitment towards curtailing proliferation of arms and ammunition in the country.
Chairman, House ad hoc Committee on Review of  Purchase, Use and Control of Arms and Ammunition, Rep. Akinremi Olaide, said this at the inauguration of the committee in Abuja, yesterday.
The lawmaker said it has become necessary to review the purchase, use and control of arms, ammunition and related hardware by military, paramilitary and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.
He called for support from military and paramilitary agencies to be able to deliver, adding that it was through evidence gathering that the committee would be able to deliver on its mandate.
Akinremi called for cooperation among security agencies, adding that the National Assembly was empowered to procure evidence, written or oral that would enable it do its job of curtailing the menace of arm proliferation
According to him, the committee shall investigate the qualities and quantities of arms and ammunition procured in the last three years.
“The committee will reach out within the next five days to assist our work and subsequently interact with the security agencies,” he said.
Rep. Ibrahim Aliyu (APC-Sokoto), who moved the motion for the investigation of proliferation of arms and ammunition said it was based on the current security challenges in the country.
He added that the security situation bedeviling the country ranging from kidnapping, banditry, insurgency among others had become a source of worry.
Aliyu said that it was disturbing that those arrested for the heinous crime carried arms and ammunition unchecked; adding that how they were able to get those arms should be probed.
He said that it was also worrisome that Nigeria had the least budget in the world for security, adding that the House would look for a way to intervene in the matter.
Some of the officials in ceremony included those of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air force, Federal Fire Service, Ministry of Defense, Correctional Service and Nigerian Customs Service.