Buhari Reveals Another Way To Fight Boko Haram Insurgents, Bandits

President Muhammadu Buhari says another way to fight insecurity across the country is through the fight against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

In two separate letters forwarded to the National Assembly, the President urged the National Assembly to pass the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill 2021; and Explosives Bill 2021.

Buhari transmitted the bill in the two letters dated the 26th and 27th August 2021 and read during Tuesday plenary by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

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The Nigerian leader stated that the mopping up of existing Small Arms and Light Weapons across the country will help in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents and bandit terrorists in the North East and North West regions.

Buhari added that the passage of the Bill seeks to control the proliferation of arms and regulate the importation and exportation of explosives in the country.

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Buhari, in the letter, said the Explosives Bill 2021 “seeks to repeal the Explosives Act 1964 and enact the Explosives Act, to regulate the manufacture, storage, possession, use, distribution, purchase, sale, transportation, importation, and exportation of explosives and for related matters.”

The letter reads in part: “Pursuant to Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I forward herewith, the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill 2021 for the kind consideration of the Senate.

“The Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill 2021 seeks to transform the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons into a National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons under the office of the National Security Adviser.

“National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, when fully operational, would go a long way at expressing Nigeria’s optimism and practical commitment to the global fight against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, including the mopping up of existing Small Arms and Light Weapons which have become a significant driver of insecurity across the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”