By Prince J Musa in Kenema
After persistent reported incidents relating to the use of firearms in the district, the Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms and Ammunition (NCSAA) has engaged stakeholders on how to mitigate and control the issue of small arms proliferation.
Addressing stakeholders and other partners at the office of the provincial secretary in Kenema, the regional security coordinator east, Office of National Security (ONS), Ibrahim Deen Swarray told the gathering that the engagement was to look at the input of the authorities in controlling small arms proliferation in the district.
“The proliferation of small arms is becoming a national security concern,” he said.
He mentioned a boundary dispute at Malegohun and in Ngebema Tunkia where a young girl was shot as well as armed robberies within the city of Kenema, but said they are working with other security units to ensure public safety.
In his statement, Deputy Commissioner NCSAA, Retired Lieutenant- Colonel Luke Foday Ndanema said the motive of the engagement was to map out strategies that required the participation of stakeholders.
“The commission needs collective efforts to control and regulate the use of small arms and ammunition in our communities for the security of all,” he said.
He stated that only NCSAA has the legal mandate to give permission to individuals to use small arms after serious scrutiny and warned that anyone caught illegally using a firearm will be held accountable. He encouraged people with guns to go to the commission to legalize their ownership and avoid violation of the laws.
The Regional Crime Officer East, Mohamed Hindolo Feika at the event explained about the incident at Ngegbema where a teenage boy shot a teenage girl on her left arm, a matter that he said is under investigation. He said after thorough investigation, they discovered that the shotgun used belonged to the father of the suspect, an ex-military officer residing in the community.
He said they have also arrested a suspect identified as Bawoh at Dama road police mobile checkpoint in Kenema with a shotgun.
The Head of Civil Society East, Augustine Sannoh informed the stakeholders that over the years the small arms commission registered all local shotgun manufacturers and had hoped the data would have guided the commissions.
He said the issue of arms proliferation is becoming a serious security concern, with incidents of armed men attacking civilians in their houses. He spoke of the importance of stakeholders’ participation in mitigation strategies and that they help in identifying those with shotguns in their communities.
Amodu Jusu from Gola rainforest national park said management is doing all it takes to protect the national park, but said there are times armed people from Liberia and even the local hunters infiltrate the forest for poaching.
He noted that as a result of illegal armed men entering into the park, two of the forest rangers have sustained bullet wounds and up till now the bullets are still lodged in their bodies.
The Gola Forest officer stated that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sierra Leone Police and the military to support the rangers with arms to help protect the national park.
Chief Momoh Ngobulango told the commission that as traditional leaders they will provide an office space for the commission to open a branch office in Kenema that will help in the monitoring of all those in possession of shotguns. He assured of their cooperation with the commission to make sure anybody with a shotgun without license is prosecuted.
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