By: Ilyasa Baa
Regional Coordinator of the National Commission on Small Arms in the noith, has issued stern warning against the unlawful possession of guns or light weapons in the region.
Madam Caroline Christiana Damba informed this medium following August 10 unrest in Makeni that although her office is constrained, they have been trying to sensitize members of the public against the illegal possession of arms on community radio stations. She said they have introduced mobile patrol licensing in hard to reach areas within the region.
She noted that her office is working in collaboration with the Provincial Security Committee (PROSEC) and the District Security Committee (DISEC) to prevent unlawful possession of fire arms and light weapons in the region.
She maintained that they have explained the process leading to the licensing of arms to members of the general public. She said the first step is to write to the Commission expressing the purpose of obtaining the license. She stressed that only the head of the Commission is authorized to sign and give his approval before a license is issued to the applicant.
According to the Act, the penalty for unlawful possession of small arms is twelve months custodial sentence or payment of a fine not less than NLe 5000 (five million Leones in the old currency)
The National Commission on Small Arms came into existence by an act of Parliament in 2010 but became fully operational as provided in the Arms and Ammunition Act of 2012 which makes provision for regulation and licensing of small arms in the country.
The proliferation of small arms especially in a country which witnessed a brutal civil war has been widely condemned by civil society organizations as well as the International Community which has been supporting the security sector of the country.
The Office of the President of Sierra Leone is supervising the National Commission on Small Arms which has been established at regional level. Their Makeni office is barely less than a year old but has made some progress as far as sensitization, regulation are concerned.
Pa Abu Kamara, who is a hunter and resident of Kalamgba told this medium that the sensitization they have been hearing has helped control unlawful possessions in their area.
It could be recalled that on August 10, 2022, youths in Makeni as well as other opposition strongholds took to the street visibly carrying arms with them causing mayhem.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney – General and Minister of Justice has dispatched a team of investigators to Makeni to gather evidences for the prosecution of over ninety people arrested in the city with regards the August 10 riot.
