Campus News

VC seeks support for NCCSALW’s effort to curb illegal arms build-up

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has called on Nigerians to support the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) in its efforts to eliminate the proliferation of small arms and unauthorised weapons across the country.

                Prof. Egbewole made this appeal last Thursday (February 20, 2025) when the North Central Coordinator of the NCCSALW, Maj. Gen. Hamza Ibrahim Bature, led his team on an advocacy visit to him in his office.

                The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, explained the need for an arms-free environment, citing the prevalence of substance abuse among the youths and the role that small arms and light weapons play as tools of social vices. 

 While stating that the availability of such weapons has led to widespread misuse, contributing to societal insecurity and criminal behaviour, the Vice Chancellor said that the mission of NCCSALW was crucial to addressing the challenges of armed violence and reducing the misuse of unauthorised weapons.

The renowned Professor of Jurisprudence and International Law reiterated the commitment of the University to maintaining strict rules and regulations that guide students’ daily activities. Despite these measures, Prof. Egbewole stressed the importance of continuously educating students about the dangers of unauthorised weapons and their potential consequences.

                He expressed gratitude to Maj. Gen. Bature and his team for their visit and assured them of the willingness of the University to collaborate with the Centre in addressing the menace of small arms and light weapons. He stated the readiness of the University to work closely with the NCCSALW to raise awareness and contribute to efforts aimed at alleviating the dangers posed by unauthorised arms.

 Earlier in his remarks, Maj. Gen. Bature, said that the University of Ilorin, which is considered as one of the most outstanding in Nigeria, was chosen because of its large population of youth, who are the primary focus of the agency’s efforts.

He lauded UNILORIN for maintaining a disciplined environment, noting that reports indicated that many of the unruly activities common in other institutions have not taken root in the University. This, he said, is a commendable achievement and an example for other institutions to follow.

Maj. Gen. Bature said the visit was to seek the Authority’s permission to speak directly with the University students, in order to raise awareness among the youth about the dangers of the proliferation of small and medium arms, adding that the youth are crucial, as convincing them to reject the spread of illegal weapons would mark significant progress in the Centre’s mission.

                 The North Central Coordinator of the NCCSALW explained that the Centre was established in response to the growing proliferation of arms across the country, saying that its mandate includes sensitising the general public to reject the spread of illegal weapons within communities.

                He pointed out that societal acceptance often fuels the spread of harmful activities and called on the public to actively join the Centre’s efforts in propagating the message of peace and security.

In highlighting the NCCSALW’s efforts, Maj. Gen. Bature revealed that the Centre has destroyed 15,000 AK-47 rifles recovered since its establishment. He noted further that the Nigerian Customs Service recently seized 1,900 rifles being smuggled into the country, while about 800 more were recovered in December. These seizures, he said, say a lot on the significant challenges still ahead in the fight against arms proliferation.

Others who joined the Vice Chancellor to welcome the team from the NCCSALW to UNILORIN were the Registrar, represented by the Deputy Registrar, Office of the Vice Chancellor, Mrs Azeezat Quadri Ibrahim; the Bursar, represented by a Deputy Bursar, Mr Mohammed Jimoh Akanbi; the University Librarian, Prof. Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa; the Ag. Director of Security, represented by Mr Suberu Haruna Ibrahim; and a member of Campus Security Committee, who is also the SSANU Chairman, UNILORIN Branch, Mr Naheem Olushola Falowo.