DG seeks stronger collaboration to curb flow of illicit arms

DG seeks stronger collaboration to curb flow of illicit arms 

The Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, has again called for stronger collaboration among security agencies to curb the flow of illicit arms into the country.

Kokumo, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, made the call during advocacy visits to key stakeholders in Kaduna State during his official tour of the North-West Zone.

He said the visit was aimed at assessing the administrative and operational effectiveness of the Centre’s regional structures, as well as strengthening its mandate.

According to him, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons remains a major driver of banditry, insurgency and other violent crimes, particularly in vulnerable regions.

“We must continue to work together through intelligence sharing, joint operations and sustained synergy to effectively address the challenge of illicit arms proliferation,” he said.

At the Department of State Services (DSS), Kaduna office, Kokumo met with the State Director, Akeem Abiola, where he highlighted the vision, mission and core functions of the Centre.

He also spoke on the NCCSALW Establishment signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2024, saying it provides a stronger legal framework to tackle the spread of illicit weapons.

The DG commended the existing cooperation between the Centre and the DSS and called for its sustenance.

Similarly, during a visit to the Command Engineering Depot of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna, Kokumo met with the Commander, Major-Gen. Oluyede Oladele Arogundade, where he solicited for the use of the depot’s facilities for the destruction of recovered illicit arms and ammunition.

Kokumo also visited the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, in Zaria, where he sought for the support of traditional rulers to advance the activities of the centre.

He said traditional institutions should leverage their position to sensitise people in their domain to  understand the danger of illicit arms flow to their security and wellbeing.

In their separate remarks, Abiola, Arogundade and Bamali commended the DG for the visit and pledged continued support and collaboration with the NCCSALW.

They also called for stronger partnerships among security agencies and the public to address insecurity in the North-West and across the country.

The visit featured the presentation of souvenirs, signing of visitors’ books and group photographs.
Kokumo was accompanied by the Zonal Director, North-West, Jamil Mukhtar, a retired Navy Commodore, and other senior officials of the Centre.