The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has strengthened its partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to tackle the proliferation and trafficking of illicit arms and ammunition across Nigeria’s borders.
The Director General of the NCCSALW, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rtd.) Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, mni, PhD, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Customs Area Controller, Niger/Kogi Area Command, Comptroller Mohammed Sani Umar, mni, at the command’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State.
Kokumo commended the Customs Service for its commitment to combating the movement of illicit small arms and light weapons, describing the Service as a critical component of Nigeria’s security architecture.
He noted that Customs plays a strategic role in securing the nation’s borders and preventing the illegal movement of arms, ammunition and other prohibited goods, adding that stronger cooperation among security agencies was essential to tackling transnational crimes.
The NCCSALW boss called for increased intelligence sharing, capacity building, information exchange and joint operations among relevant agencies to address the threats posed by the circulation of illicit weapons.
He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, mnipr, PhD, for his support for inter-agency collaboration and efforts to foster stronger relationships between the Customs Service and other security and law enforcement agencies.
Kokumo assured the Niger/Kogi Area Command of the Centre’s readiness to deepen its partnership with the NCS through intelligence-driven operations, information sharing and other joint initiatives aimed at preventing arms trafficking across the country’s borders.
Responding, Comptroller Umar thanked the NCCSALW delegation for the visit and reaffirmed the command’s readiness to collaborate with the Centre in advancing national security.
He said the NCS remained committed to enforcing government policies, securing Nigeria’s borders and supporting initiatives aimed at curbing the proliferation of illicit weapons.
Umar added that the command would continue to strengthen its operational strategies and intelligence-gathering mechanisms while sustaining cooperation with sister security agencies and other stakeholders.
The Customs Area Controller also commended the leadership of the Comptroller-General for repositioning the Service through improved efficiency, professionalism and inter-agency collaboration.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both organisations to identify areas of mutual interest and explore measures to strengthen cooperation in intelligence gathering, information sharing, capacity development and coordinated enforcement.
Both agencies subsequently renewed their commitment to working together to strengthen border security and arms control as part of efforts to build a safer and more secure Nigeria.
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