The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), South-South Zone, has sensitised market women in Cross River State on the dangers of illicit small arms and light weapons proliferation, urging them to support efforts to combat the circulation of illegal firearms through vigilance and timely information sharing.
The one-day sensitisation meeting, held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, took place at the conference room of the Centre’s South-South Zonal Office in Calabar.
Addressing the participants, the Zonal Director of NCCSALW, South-South Zone, Alex I. Ebimiebo, highlighted the security threats associated with illicit arms proliferation and emphasised the importance of public awareness and community participation in tackling the menace.
He stressed that the responsibility for preventing illicit arms proliferation should not be left to security agencies alone, noting that citizens have important roles to play by remaining vigilant, identifying suspicious activities and promptly sharing credible information with relevant authorities.
“Security is a collective responsibility, and the fight against illicit small arms and light weapons cannot be left to security agencies alone. Every citizen has a role to play in ensuring the safety of our communities. By remaining vigilant and providing credible information to relevant authorities, market women can make meaningful contributions to preventing the circulation of illegal firearms and strengthening our collective security,” Ebimiebo said.
He urged the market women to become active partners in promoting community security, explaining that their daily interactions within markets and neighbourhoods placed them in strategic positions to observe developments and contribute to the early identification of potential security threats.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to educate the participants on the importance of vigilance, responsible information sharing and cooperation with relevant authorities in addressing security threats.
Speaking to reporters after the sensitisation session, Rebecca Esien and Uduak Archibong, both traders at Calabar Watt Market, expressed appreciation to the Centre for the engagement, describing it as informative and beneficial.
Esien said the sensitisation had broadened her understanding of the security implications of illicit small arms and light weapons proliferation, adding that the knowledge gained would help her appreciate the importance of security consciousness and intelligent information sharing with relevant authorities to curb the menace.
Similarly, Archibong said the programme had equipped her with useful security information and strengthened her understanding of the role market women could play in promoting community safety. She pledged to remain vigilant and appropriately share credible security-related information with relevant authorities to support efforts to prevent illicit arms proliferation.
The NCCSALW operates under the Office of the National Security Adviser and coordinates efforts to prevent and control the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.
Through engagements with community groups and other stakeholders, the Centre seeks to promote public understanding of the dangers of illegal arms circulation and encourage collective responsibility in addressing the challenge.
By Kingsley Agim
