Niger Homeland Security Ministry Reaffirms Partnership with NCCSALW to Tackle Insecurity

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BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA.

The Niger State Ministry for Homeland Security has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in a bid to address security challenges across the state.

The Commissioner for Homeland Security, Barrister Bello Maurice Magaji, made this known when he led a high-powered delegation, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Aminu Aliyu Goro, on a courtesy visit to the North Central Zonal Office of NCCSALW in Minna. The delegation was warmly received by the Zonal Director, Abdul Adamu Eneche, DDGSS (Rtd), fsi, PhD, alongside members of his management team.

Barrister Magaji expressed appreciation for the cordial reception, explaining that the engagement was aimed at familiarising the Ministry with the operations of the Centre and identifying areas for enhanced collaboration. He described the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons as a major security concern for Niger State and assured the Centre of the Ministry’s readiness to work closely with it to curb insecurity.

According to the Commissioner, proposed areas of collaboration include non-kinetic approaches such as the deployment of early warning systems, the inclusion of NCCSALW in the Niger State Situation Room, and the strengthening of real-time intelligence sharing mechanisms.

In his response, the Zonal Director, Abdul Adamu Eneche, commended the administration of Governor Umar Mohammed Bago for facilitating the establishment and commissioning of the North Central Zonal Office of the Centre. He described the visit as timely and reassuring, noting that NCCSALW was established by an Executive Order in 2021 under the late President Muhammadu Buhari and later signed into law in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Eneche explained that the core mandate of the Centre is to coordinate, manage and control the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons across the country. He stressed the importance of close collaboration with the Ministry for Homeland Security, given its strategic role in safeguarding the state.

While acknowledging the Niger State Government’s efforts in addressing security challenges, the Zonal Director identified porous borders, possible leakages from arms-bearing agencies and the activities of illegal local arms fabricators as key contributors to the spread of illicit weapons. He highlighted the Centre’s ongoing sensitisation programmes targeting traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, market women, journalists, transport workers, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders, as well as similar initiatives across other states in the North Central zone.

He further outlined areas where the state government’s support would be crucial, including the provision of logistics to establish a task force on illicit arms control and the allocation of land for the construction of a permanent state office to enhance the Centre’s operations.

The visit ended peacefully, with both parties expressing optimism that the renewed partnership would significantly contribute to improved security and stability in Niger State.