By Dare Akogun
The Kwara State House of Assembly has called on the state government to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders to curb the illegal circulation of small arms and light weapons fueling criminal activities across the state.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Hon. Saba Yisa Gideon, representing Edu Constituency, who stressed the urgent need for sensitization campaigns and stricter enforcement measures against illegal arms possession.
Hon. Saba raised concerns over the rising cases of armed robbery, and other violent crimes, especially in rural areas where criminals exploit easy access to firearms.
Reading the resolution, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, directed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to instruct the Special Adviser on Security to work with security agencies, traditional rulers, and vigilante groups to form a dedicated task force to combat illegal arms circulation.
The House also urged local government chairmen, transport unions, and security bodies to establish community outreach programs that will encourage residents to report suspicious activities while ensuring adequate protection for whistleblowers.
The Assembly also mandated stricter enforcement of firearm control laws, with stiffer penalties for violators to deter the proliferation of illegal arms in the state.
