The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) and the Nigeria Customs Service have renewed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to curb the trafficking and proliferation of illicit arms and ammunition across Nigeria’s borders.
The Director-General of NCCSALW, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rtd.) Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Customs Area Controller, Niger/Kogi Area Command, Comptroller Mohammed Sani Umar, at the command headquarters in Minna, Niger State.
Kokumo commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its role in securing the nation’s borders and preventing the illegal movement of arms, ammunition and other prohibited items.
He stressed the need for stronger inter-agency cooperation, intelligence sharing, capacity building and joint operations to tackle the growing threat posed by illicit weapons.
According to him, effective collaboration among security agencies is critical to protecting lives and property, safeguarding national assets and sustaining peace and stability in the country.
The NCCSALW Director-General also appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his support towards strengthening synergy among security and law enforcement agencies.
He assured the Niger/Kogi Area Command of the Centre’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the Customs Service through intelligence-driven operations, information sharing and other joint initiatives aimed at preventing arms trafficking.
Responding, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Sani Umar, reaffirmed the command’s readiness to partner with NCCSALW in promoting national security.
Umar said the command would continue to strengthen its operational strategies, intelligence-gathering mechanisms and collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure effective border management.
The meeting also explored areas of cooperation in intelligence gathering, information sharing, capacity development and coordinated enforcement operations.
Both organisations subsequently pledged to deepen their partnership towards strengthening border security, improving arms control and contributing to a safer and more secure Nigeria.