The North Central leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have visited the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) to strengthen cooperation and promote peace across campuses in the region.
The delegation, led by NANS North Central Zonal Coordinator Hussaini Jamilu Ebbo, alongside General Secretary Abdullahi Ibrahim and Gender Officer Khadijat Aliyu Yusuf, paid a courtesy visit to the Centre’s North Central Zonal and were received by the Zonal Director, Abdul Adamu Eneche, and his management team.
Speaking during the visit, the NANS Coordinator thanked the Centre for the warm reception. He said the purpose of the visit was to build a stronger working relationship with the NCCSALW and to support efforts aimed at reducing the spread of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs).
He praised the Zonal Director for his dedication to national security and service to humanity. He also recalled how Eneche, during his time as State Director of Security in Kaduna State, successfully prevented a planned protest by NANS from turning violent.
The NANS leader further commended the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially the student loan policy, which he described as a major support for Nigerian students. However, he expressed concern over continued attacks on schools by bandits and called for stronger dialogue between students and security agencies. He invited the Zonal Director to deliver a lecture at an upcoming student security dialogue.
In his response, the zonal Director Abdul Eneche appreciated the NANS executives for their visit and willingness to partner with the Centre. He explained that the NCCSALW was established in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari and is domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser. The Centre was later backed by law in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It is currently headed by Director-General, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (Rtd).
Eneche said that in the past, conflicts were often resolved through dialogue, but today many disputes are settled with weapons due to the large number of illegal arms in the hands of non-state actors. He stressed the need for collective action to curb the threat.
The Zonal Director accepted the invitation to collaborate with NANS and assured them of protection in intelligence sharing.
He also urged the student leaders to spread awareness across the 65 campuses in the North Central region and help prevent cult-related activities, noting that many cult members are not genuine students.
The visit marks a significant step toward stronger collaboration between students and security agencies in the fight against the proliferation of illegal arms and the promotion of peace in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
