Centre seeks NYSC collaboration to control spread of light weapons

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, South East Zone has sought for collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Enugu to control proliferation of light weapons.

The Coordinator of the centre, Maj.- Gen. Okechukwu Ugo (Rtd) disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to the State Coordinator, NYSC, Enugu State, Mrs. Christiana Salmwang on Thursday in Enugu.

Ugo said that the Federal Government established the agency considering the high rate of the circulation of illicit arms in the country.

He said that the Federal Government found it necessary to aid the military by applying nonkinetic methods of advocacy, mentoring, and caution to control insecurities in the country.

The coordinator acknowledged the NYSC as a leading agency when it comes to dealing with the Youths.

He added that there was need to partner with the scheme to help reach the youth, sensitise them, change their mindset, and help them switch to a positive way of life by becoming vanguards against the circulation of illicit arms.

In response, the State Coordinator NYSC, Enugu State, Mrs. Christiana Salmwang said, “the initiative is a welcome development with illicit arms flying around the country, to prevent it from landing in the wrong hands, there is no better time to partner with us than now.”

Salmwang said that NYSC had over the years partnered with different agencies and a partnership with the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons would be a good one.

She advised the agency to write to the NYSC Director General for permission to sensitise corps members during the forthcoming orientation course.

She assured Ugo that with the Director General’s approval the initiative would be incorporated into the orientation course timetable.

The meeting had in attendance senior management staff of both agencies.