IGP, UNREC Partner To Tackle Arms Proliferation

…Commissions Barracks In Kano

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has pledged to intensify efforts to curb arms trafficking and mop up illegal weapons across Nigeria.

He made the commitment during a meeting with officials from the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The engagement focused on strengthening inter-agency collaboration to combat the spread of illicit small arms and light weapons, which continue to fuel violence in high-risk areas.

Dr. Adedeji Ebo led the delegation, accompanied by the Director of UNREC, Mr. Anselme Yabouri; a UNREC staff member, Miss Grub Nolwenn; AIG Thomas Nebhon; and Lt. Col. O.N. Okon from NCCSALW.

The UN delegation commended the Nigerian Police Force for its role in curbing arms proliferation and stressed the need for “coordinated intelligence sharing, tracking systems, and disarmament initiatives to tackle internal security threats”.

In response, the IGP thanked the international community and the Office of the National Security Adviser for their continuous support.

He reiterated the Force’s resolve to “intensify efforts toward mopping up illegal arms and ensuring that individuals and groups involved in arms trafficking” are brought to justice.

He described the spread of illicit weapons as a major threat to public safety and national security and assured that the police will not relent in halting illegal arms circulation across the country.

Egbetokun also informed the delegation that the Force had recovered “thousands of arms and ammunition” and would continue to partner with both local and global stakeholders to dismantle smuggling networks.

He assured that his leadership would prioritise joint strategies and intelligence-sharing systems to promote peace and national security.

In another development, the IGP commissioned newly constructed police barracks and accommodation facilities at Bompai and Zaria Road in Kano State on Wednesday, August 6.

He said the project was part of his administration’s push to improve the living standards of police personnel and boost morale within the Nigeria Police Force.

The newly commissioned structures include over 300 modern residential units, a 48-office administrative complex, a standard armoury, a transport workshop, POWA shops, worship centres, paved internal roads, and integrated support infrastructure.

While addressing officers and stakeholders at the event, Egbetokun said the unveiling of the facilities represented more than just infrastructure, describing it as a “philosophy that places human dignity at the centre of national security.”

He added that “no officer should fight for a nation by day and sleep in indignity by night,” and explained that the project reflects a focus on aligning welfare with performance and using infrastructure to drive professionalism.

Egbetokun commended the private sector partners for supporting the initiative and delivering it to standard.

He added that similar efforts were ongoing in other states as part of a broader national transformation plan for the police.

IGP, UNREC Partner To Tackle Arms Proliferation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper