Arms proliferation: FG resuscitates PRESCOM over insecurity

The Federal Government has commenced a review of the report of 2013 Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM), to effectively combat insurgency and the escalation of violent crimes across the country.

The review committee, headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), held its inaugural meeting at the State House on Monday to take another look at the committee report.

At the last National Security Council meeting, President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Vice President to chair a committee to review the report of the PRESCOM, which was constituted almost seven years ago by the then administration.

In line with that Presidential directive, Prof. Osinbajo chaired the meeting of the review committee, calling for the development of clear cut, specific line of action to address the serious problems of small arms and light weapons, many of which fuel the insurgency in the Northeast and other security challenges across the country.

The Vice President, according to his spokesman, Laolu Akande, noted that the seriousness of the matter had necessitated the setting up of the review committee said, “the problem we have at hand is really enormous”, adding that this is why the President is keen on effective and prompt solutions.

Members of the review committee present at the meeting included the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami; the Ministers of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; and the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd.).

Others were the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu; the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd); Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman; and the Chairman of PRESCOM, Amb. Emmanuel Imohe.