NCCSALW, Customs Deepen Collaboration Against Arms Proliferation
The Director General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rtd.) Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, mni, PhD, has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its sustained efforts to combat the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.
Kokumo gave the commendation on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Centre to the Customs Area Controller, Niger/Kogi Area Command, Comptroller Mohammed Sani Umar, mni, at the Command Headquarters in Minna, Niger State.
The NCCSALW boss acknowledged the strategic role of the Customs Service in securing Nigeria’s borders and preventing the illegal movement of arms, ammunition and other prohibited items. He described the Service as a critical component of the nation’s security architecture and a reliable partner in the fight against transnational crimes.
He stressed the need for stronger inter-agency cooperation, intelligence sharing, capacity building and coordinated operations to address the growing threat posed by the illicit circulation of weapons.
According to him, effective collaboration among security agencies is essential to protecting lives and property, safeguarding national assets and maintaining peace and stability across the country.
Kokumo also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, mnipr, PhD, for his continued support for inter-agency collaboration and his efforts to strengthen synergy among security and law enforcement agencies.
He noted that under the CGC’s leadership, the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to demonstrate professionalism, commitment and strategic cooperation in advancing national security objectives.
The Director General assured the Niger/Kogi Area Command of the Centre’s readiness to further strengthen its partnership with the Customs Service through intelligence-driven operations, information sharing and other joint initiatives aimed at preventing the trafficking of arms and ammunition across Nigeria’s borders.
In his response, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Sani Umar, appreciated the NCCSALW delegation for the visit and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to working closely with the Centre to enhance national security.
Umar reiterated the Nigeria Customs Service’s determination to enforce government policies, secure the nation’s borders and support legitimate efforts to curb the proliferation of illicit weapons.
He added that the Niger/Kogi Area Command would continue to improve its operational strategies, strengthen intelligence gathering and maintain effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders and sister security agencies to achieve efficient border management and enhance national security.
The Customs Area Controller also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, mnipr, PhD, for his visionary leadership, sustained support and efforts to reposition the Service for greater efficiency, professionalism and inter-agency cooperation.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both organisations to identify areas of mutual interest and explore practical measures to enhance cooperation in intelligence gathering, information exchange, capacity development and coordinated enforcement operations.
The engagement ended with a renewed commitment by the NCCSALW and Nigeria Customs Service to deepen their partnership towards building a safer and more secure Nigeria through effective arms control, stronger border security and sustained inter-agency collaboration.
