By Kemi Yesufu
The House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking to establish National Commission against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria through second reading.
The bill sponsored by Rep. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno) who expressed grave concern over the influx of small arms and dangerous weapons through ports and porous borders, harped on the need to put necessary measures in place to end the illicit trade.
Monguno expressed optimism that the proposed Commission when established will coordinate and implement activities to combat the menace of proliferation of weapons in the country, in line with the Economic Community of West African States Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
“It’s a well known fact beyond the shores of Nigeria that the primary responsibility of any government is the security and welfare of the citizens and any government that fails to exercise this responsibility is not worthy of the name government.
“But as we have it today, there’s proliferation of small arms and light weapons to the effect that some people have occupied certain areas in Nigeria and declared their caliphate just because they are in possession of small arms and light weapons.
“And for government to be seen to be discharging its responsibilities, to not only be seen to bark but also bite, it must device means of mopping up these small arms and light weapons from non state actors.
“And that’s why the establishment of a Commission that will be tasked with the duty of mopping up these small arms and light weapons has become very important,” Monguno said.
While stressing urgent need to halt the proliferation of these weapons by non-state actors, Hon. Mungonu called for synergy between Nigeria and other West African countries.
Other lawmakers including: Rep. Abdulrasak Namdas (APC-Adamawa), Rep. Mohammed Mungonu, Majority Chief Whip, Rep. Jide Olatunbosun (APC-Oyo), Rep. Segun Odebunmi (APC-Oyo), Rep. Aminu Suleiman (APC-Kano); Rep. Adamu (APC-Plateau) who spoke in favour of the bill, argued that the Commission would help Nigeria in combating insecurity and crimes, especially in the insurgent prone North-East geopolitical zone as well as neighbouring borders.
Also speaking, Rep. Namdas disagreed with them, saying that: “if the Police has been very effective, I don’t think the need for a Commission would have been stated by this bill.
“According to Monguno, the commission is to strictly identify the existence if illegal arms and light weapons and seize same,” Namdas said.
He maintained that: “some of these weapons are so sophisticated and you wiĺl discover that even some of the security agencies don’t have them in the armory. And in order to keep Nigerians safe and secured, there’s need to sanitize the use of fire arms by ensuring that they are only in the hands of authorized persons.”
On her part, Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Deputy Majority Chief Whip, observed that the perennial insecurity being suffered by countries in the sub-region was ocassioned by illegal possession of small arms and weapons especially the non-State actors.
She said: “Even in the 8th Assembly, we had motions regarding this matter and everyday we are burdened with re-occurrence and my Colleague, the Chief Whip is proffering solutions by way of a commission to take charge of taking these arms from non-State actors.
“We are here today talking about this because the problem refused to go away. I moved a motion here two years ago about a container of arms brought into the country and the Customs, saying that, they didn’t know who was responsible.
“And now, we are saying that a commission be set up to mop-up these arms, and I think it needs to be supported,” Onyejeocha urged.
Also speaking, Rep. Mohammed Bago (APC-Niger), who called for the empowerment of Nigeria Police Force to handle the job of mopping up small arms and light weapons, argued that setting up of a new Commission will further increase the cost of governance.
Rep. Aminu Suleiman (APC-Kano), also agreed with Bago, saying that “in addressing the proliferation of small arms, we may be encouraging the proliferation of more commissions.
“So I think as members of parliament, we owe Nigerians the duty of enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of existing agencies such as addressing the issue of manpower and inadequate funding, so that they can perform optimally.”
While expressing his view, Segun Odebunmi, (APC,-Oyo), noted that “in the 8th Assembly, passed a resolution on a motion sponsored by Hon. Kingsley Chinda, through which the House mandated the Nigeria Police to collect these arms and curb proliferation.
“So I tend therefore to agree with those who are against a new Commission because even then, the former Inspector General Police began the process of confiscating these weapons,” he said.
While ruling, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila explained that the bill referred to the House Committee on Internal Security when constituted.
Also at plenary, the House passed through first reading 30 bills.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has formally notified the House of Representatives of his plan to appoint 15 Special Advisers.
This was contained in a letter read by Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives during Thursday plenary session.
According to Mr. President, the appointment is in line with Section 151 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The letter reads: “Pursuant to provision of Section 151 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which confers to the President powers to appoint Special Advisers to assist him in the performance of his functions.
“It is my hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
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