The National Orientation Agency, NOA, Akwa Ibom State Directorate, says the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country poses a grave threat to national peace, security, and sustainable development.
Akwa Ibom State Director of NOA, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, stated this while addressing Community Orientation and Mobilization Officers from the 31 local government areas, members of the public and media representatives in Uyo.
The campaign which is part of a broader national effort to address the scourge of illegal arms circulation across Nigeria, a problem that has been exacerbated by porous borders, weak enforcement, and regional instability.
The Akwa Ibom State Director of NOA explained that small arms typically refer to firearms designed for personal use, such as pistols, rifles, and sub-machine guns while light weapons include more powerful arms like machine guns, grenade launchers, and portable mortars.
Mr. Mkpoutom emphasized that the unchecked spread of small arms continues to fuel violent crimes, human rights violations, and the destruction of lives and property across the country.
“These weapons, whether used in communal clashes, armed robbery, or terrorism, have caused unimaginable devastation. The destruction is not only physical but also deeply social and economic”, Mkpoutom said.
Mr Mkpoutom warned that their affordability and availability make them particularly attractive to non-state actors, including criminal gangs and terrorist groups. He urged all stakeholders, including security agencies, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and the general public, to join hands with the NOA in tackling the menace of arms proliferation.
Also speaking, Head of Community Safety, Awareness and Compliance Department of the Agency, Mrs. Nsidibe Udoette, noted that the widespread circulation of illegal arms fuels organized crime, human trafficking and other illicit activities that destabilize communities and weaken national institutions.
She emphasized the need for enhanced public awareness, intelligence sharing, and stricter enforcement of arms control laws. Noting that as part of its outreach strategy, the Agency plans to engage schools, religious bodies, market associations, and youth groups to spread the message of disarmament and responsible citizenship.
