President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved the start-up of a National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, NCCSALW.

Buhari also appointed Retired Major General AM Dikko as the National Coordinator of the NCCSALW.

A statement from the Presidency’s official Twitter handle disclosed that the NCCSALW would be domiciled in the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA.

The statement read in part, “The NCCSALW replaces the defunct Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, PCSALW, and shall serve as the institutional mechanism for policy guidance, research and monitoring of all aspects of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria.

“The pioneer National Coordinator, Retired Major General AM Dikko has served in various capacities in and outside Nigeria.

“He was a Course Director at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre and Chief Instructor of the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre.

“He was also a Military Adviser, United Nations Office for West Africa, Director Peacekeeping Operations Defence Headquarters, Commander Operations LAST HOLD as well as Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, to mention a few.”