NATCOM commends the ascendancy of Tinubu as the Chair of ECOWAS and advocates for the provision of legal support to consolidate his position.

       NATCOM

Nigeria's National Commission (NATCOM) has expressed its admiration for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's assumption of the chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and has urged him to intervene in order to prevent the illicit flow of weapons in the region.

In a congratulatory message conveyed by the interim director-general, Dr. Agaba Iduh Fidel, the group emphasized that the urgent establishment of the National Commission for the Coordination and Control of Small Arms, Ammunition, and Light Weapons is crucial in addressing the extensive insecurity prevalent in ungoverned areas of the ECOWAS region.

Dr. Fidel attributed the rise of banditry, kidnappings, secessionist movements, and insurgency to the abundance of illegal arms and ammunition in the possession of non-state actors within and outside the ECOWAS ungoverned spaces.

The statement expressed confidence that President Tinubu, in his role as the ECOWAS chairman, will swiftly authorize the establishment and operation of the Commission for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms, Ammunition, and Light Weapons (NATCOM) in Nigeria. This action is expected to address concerns regarding heightened insecurity caused by banditry, kidnappings, secessionist movements, and insurgencies, which pose a threat to national security due to the extensive availability of illegal arms and ammunition in the hands of non-state actors within and beyond the ECOWAS ungoverned areas. Additionally, the establishment of the commission is anticipated to generate employment opportunities for the nation's youth.