Some members the Senate on Wednesday accused the security agencies in the country of giving weapons to criminals.

The lawmakers also indicted the Nigeria Customs Services and the Nigerian Immigration Service of conniving with criminals, who smuggled arms and ammunition illegally into the country.

They linked killings, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of insecurity in the country to proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

The senators expressed the views when the Senate debated a bill titled, “a Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the Nigeria National Commission against the Proliferation of small arms and light weapons and for related matters.”

It was sponsored by Senator Smart Adeyemi.

The bill, which passed second reading on the floor of the Senate was referred to Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, to report back in two weeks for further legislative actions.

The lawmaker said the bill would identify sources and main routes of the small arms, ammunition and light weapon.

He said it would also identify why the illicit trade thrives in Nigeria.

He said the proposed agency would liaise with the relevant authorities, agencies and organisations with the aim of tackling the menace;

He said, “It will recommend possible ways to monitor, control, halt, and mitigate the nagging illegal activities of unscrupulous persons, companies and organisations.

“It will itemize and identify promoters, users, patrons and reasons for the illegal activities.

“It will also explore all avenues to achieve adequate funding for this campaign.

Senator Adamu Aliero accused men of the Nigerian Customs Service of allegedly conniving with arms dealers to smuggle in small arms into the country through the borders.

He said, “If the bill is not passed into law by the National Assembly, violence will continue unabated.”

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha in his contribution cited the United States as a country without strong gun control laws, and that “they are paying dearly for it today”.

He said, “It is better to have control of arms than allow every everybody to possess arms.”

Senator Abdullahi Adamu lamented that the proliferation of small arms has become a thriving business because those involved in the illicit trade are not apprehended by the relevant security agencies.

Senator Francis Fadahunsi, on his part alleged that some security and police personnel were often accused of illegally removing weapons from the armoury.

Senator Ibrahim Gobir alleged that immigration and Customs were conniving with criminals to proliferate illegal arms and ammunition in the country.

He said, “We have local manufacturers of illegal arms and ammunition supplying criminals with their products.”

Senator Amos Bulus lamented that the government does not have the will to prosecute those involved in gun running in the country.

He said, “We know those that are involved. We don’t have the will power to take action where the need arises.

“For instance so many people have been arrested at Tinkers island but till day nothing has been done.”

The Senate after a robust debate on the issue, passed the bill for second reading

Also on Wednesday, a bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Civil Defence Academy in Padongari, Niger State, passed second reading.

The sponsor, Senator Musa Sani, said the academy would serve as an institution of high-level manpower development.

He said the graduate would have the mandate to train civil defence officers to acquire and attain the highest standard of professionalism.

The academy, the senator added, would award certificates as may be approved by the relevant academic regulatory body from time to time.

Similarly, Senator Haliru Jika sponsored a bill to establish the Nigeria Police Academy.

He said the bill seeks to give legal backing to the academy which took off in 1988, simultaneously at two temporary campuses, namely: the Police Training School, Challawa, Kano, here cadet Inspectors were trained; and the Police College, Kaduna, where cadet ASPs were trained.

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said the National Assembly has devised a strategy that will see to the creation of institutions dedicated to providing enduring solutions to Nigeria’s security travails.

He said the National Assembly remains committed to ensuring that the security situation in the country improves.

He said, “We are dealing with this by trying to institutionalize certain situations that will provide enduring arrangements and solutions to the situation we face today.”