NCCSALW Seeks Market Women’s Intelligence in Fight Against Illegal Arms
By Ebi COLLINS
Market women have been urged to take an active role in safeguarding their communities by remaining alert to suspicious activities and sharing credible security information with relevant authorities to prevent the circulation of illegal firearms.
The Zonal Director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), South-South Zone, Dr. Alex I. Ebimiebo, made the call during a sensitisation meeting with market women in Calabar, Cross River State.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the conference room of the Centre’s South-South Zonal Office in Calabar, focused on the dangers of illicit small arms and light weapons proliferation and the need for stronger community participation in addressing the threat.
Ebimiebo observed that tackling the circulation of illegal firearms required the cooperation of citizens beyond conventional security institutions, stressing that public vigilance and timely intelligence could assist security agencies in identifying and responding to potential threats.
“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,” he said.
He particularly encouraged the women to translate the knowledge gained into practical action by promoting security awareness within their families, business circles and neighbourhoods.
According to him, their regular interactions with different categories of people provide opportunities to contribute to community vigilance and the early identification of suspicious developments that may have security implications.
The sensitisation also drew attention to the importance of responsible intelligence sharing, with participants encouraged to communicate relevant information through appropriate channels rather than engage in speculation or take matters into their own hands.
Two traders at Calabar Watt Market, Rebecca Esien and Uduak Archibong, who participated in the exercise, commended the Centre for extending its public awareness campaign to the market community.
Esien said the programme had expanded her understanding of the security implications of illicit arms proliferation and equipped her with useful knowledge on how to contribute through intelligent information sharing with relevant authorities.
Archibong also described the exercise as beneficial, noting that the information provided had strengthened her appreciation of the responsibility citizens, particularly market women, have in promoting safer communities. She pledged to remain vigilant and pass credible security information to the appropriate authorities.
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons operates under the Office of the National Security Adviser, with a mandate to coordinate efforts towards preventing and controlling the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.
Its grassroots sensitisation engagements seek to broaden public understanding of the threat posed by illegal firearms and encourage greater cooperation between communities and security institutions.
