By Onu Okorie

National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons NCCSALW has strengthened its partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service in the ongoing fight against the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons across Nigeria.
The Director General of the NCCSALW, Deputy Inspector General of Police Rtd. Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, made the commitment during a courtesy visit to the Customs Area Controller, Niger/Kogi Area Command, Comptroller Mohammed Sani Umar, mni, at the Command Headquarters in Minna, Niger State, on August 19, 2026.
DIG (Rtd.) Kokumo commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its unwavering commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and preventing the illegal movement of arms, ammunition and other prohibited items.
He described the Customs Service as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s security architecture and a dependable partner in combating transnational crimes.
The NCCSALW Director General stressed the need for stronger inter-agency cooperation, intelligence sharing, capacity building and joint operations to address the growing threat posed by the illicit circulation of weapons.
According to him, effective collaboration among security agencies is essential to safeguarding lives and property, protecting national assets and maintaining peace and stability across the country.
DIG (Rtd.) Kokumo also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, mnipr, PhD, for his support for inter-agency collaboration in the fight against small arms and light weapons proliferation.
He commended the Customs leadership for fostering greater synergy among security and law enforcement agencies, noting that the Service has continued to demonstrate professionalism, dedication and strategic cooperation in advancing national security objectives.
The NCCSALW boss assured the Niger/Kogi Area Command of the Centre’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service through sustained collaboration, intelligence-driven operations, information sharing and other joint initiatives aimed at preventing the trafficking of arms and ammunition across Nigeria’s borders.
Responding, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Sani Umar, mni, thanked the NCCSALW delegation for the visit and reaffirmed the Command’s readiness to collaborate with the Centre in promoting national security.
He reiterated the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing government policies, protecting the nation’s borders and supporting lawful initiatives aimed at curbing the proliferation of illicit weapons.
Comptroller Umar said the Niger/Kogi Area Command would continue to strengthen its operational strategies, improve intelligence-gathering mechanisms and maintain effective synergy with relevant stakeholders and sister security agencies to ensure efficient border management and enhanced national security.