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NASS Proposes Five-Year Jail Term For Firearms Possession
The National Assembly has proposed a jail sentence of five years or a fine of N5million for any person convicted of being in possession of firearms illegally.
Where a person perpetrates violence with an unlicensed firearm, such a person may be jailed for six years without an option of fine, according to the ‘Bill for an Act to Establish the National Centre for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria, and for Related Matters.’
The Senate and the House of Representatives had constituted conference committees that harmonised the differences in the versions passed by the chambers.
Co-Chairman of the conference committee from the House, Adeogun Adejoro, laid the report on the bill penultimate week and it was considered and adopted last Wednesday.
In the report, the committee, in Clause 31, Part 9 of the bill, recommended punishments for illegal possession and use of firearms.
Clause 31 read, “Offences and penalties: (1) Any person in possession of firearms or ammunition without a licence shall on conviction be liable to five years imprisonment or a fine of not less than N5,000,000.00 or both where the person has no previous criminal record.
“(2) Any person with previous criminal records found in possession of firearms without a licence shall on conviction be liable to five years imprisonment without fine.
“(3) Where a person commits an act of violence with a firearm that is not licenced such person shall on conviction be liable to six years imprisonment”.
The National Centre for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, which is currently domiciled with the Office of the National Security Adviser, will get legal backing when the bill is signed into law.
Clause 6, Part 3, of the bill listed the functions and powers of the commission to include implementing strategies, plans, and policies for the eradication of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
It includes supervising the implementation of the strategies, plans, and policies for the eradication of proliferation of small arms and light weapons, by law enforcement agencies and other relevant ministries, departments, and agencies in Nigeria.
It also includes receiving from the Nigeria Police Force, reports of activities on the registration and licensing of firearms and ammunition for the purposes of updating the national database.
Other functions and powers of the commission are “(e) organising programmes of action to prevent, control, combat, and eradicate the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons, and coordinating the design and implementation of an effective public education and awareness campaign relative to small arms and light weapons”.
The bill also proposes that the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, and the United Nations grant exemptions to member-states for weapons of Categories 1, 2 and 3 of the ECOWAS Protocol on SALW, to meet legitimate national defence and security needs, or to participate in peacekeeping or other operations in accordance with the decisions of the UN, AU, ECOWAS or other regional or sub-regional body of which it is a member.
On management and security of stockpiles, the bill proposes that the commission, among others, shall take the necessary measures to ensure the safe and effective management, storage, and security of national stocks of small arms and light weapons.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.