This significant development was revealed during a workshop on gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, held in Abuja on Tuesday.

The workshop, organized by NCCSALW, focused on integrating gender perspectives into security measures against illegal arms proliferation. Ribadu, represented by Ibrahim Babani, Director of External Affairs at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), described the presidential assent as a major step towards enhancing the centre’s mandate and fostering more effective action against illegal arms.

He emphasized the importance of gender mainstreaming, referencing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which underscores the need to protect women in conflict zones and involve them in peacebuilding efforts. Ribadu also highlighted the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which stresses regional responsibility in controlling the spread of these weapons.

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In his address, Johnson Kokumo, National Coordinator of NCCSALW, detailed recent achievements in combating illegal arms proliferation. These include the retrieval of a large cache of illicit arms from the Nigeria Customs Service and the arrest of ten suspects, who are now facing prosecution. Additionally, the centre has collected 3,383 decommissioned and obsolete weapons and 26,749 rounds of ammunition from government agencies.

Kokumo also announced an upcoming Arms Destruction Exercise, aimed at permanently removing recovered arms from circulation. He stressed that controlling small arms proliferation is both a national and international priority, with gender-sensitive approaches being crucial due to the severe impact of armed conflict on women and children.

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The workshop represents a significant effort to integrate gender considerations into national and regional strategies for controlling small arms and light weapons, reinforcing the importance of inclusive and comprehensive security policies.

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