Proliferation Of Small Arms And Light Weapons Is The Cause Of Violence, Conflicts – Amb Imohe By Masoyi Lusa, Bauchi
The Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons has attributed the proliferation of Small Arms in Nigeria to the incessant violence and conflicts which has resulted to loss of lives in the country.
The Chairman of PRESCOM, Amb Emmanuel Imohe stated this at a 2 day stakeholder’s sensitization forum held at Zaranda Hotel Bauchi with the theme “Ballot without bullets”.
He said “Nuclear weapons may be a big threat in Europe, Middle East or other parts of the World. In Africa, the threat is clear, the danger is known. The weapon of destruction that continues to fuel conflicts, wars, violence, and wanton bloodletting with severe losses of lives and wasted economic opportunities is Small arms and light weapons.
According to Amb Emmanuel the aims of the committee is to contribute to the reduction of electoral violence in Nigeria come February 2015 general elections and beyond by sensitizing Nigeria s on the necessity for a Ballot without bullets.
He said ” in the run up to the 2015 general elections, the potential negative role which SALWs can play cannot be over emphasized so this programme seeks to create awareness on the negative socio economic impact illicit small arms and light weapons profile ration in Nigeria.
” We will also harness stakeholders opinion on how best to ensure public private partnership in combating the profile ration of SALWs as in Nigeria and ensure a sustainable violence free electoral culture as well as sensitize the Nigerian populace on the proposed comprehensive SALWs survey in Nigeria.
He therefore calls for support of all stakeholders to build an electoral culture that is violence free.
In his address, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state called for holistic and pragmatic approach to address security challenges in north East saying the ease which arms and ammunition are acquired and used to kill innocent people is a matter of serious concern to the government.
