NCCSALW, Customs Deepen Collaboration to Curb Illicit Arms Trafficking

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its continued efforts to prevent the proliferation and trafficking of illicit small arms and light weapons across Nigeria’s borders.

The Director General of the NCCSALW, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rtd.) Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, mni, PhD, gave the commendation on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the Customs Area Controller, Niger/Kogi Area Command, Comptroller Mohammed Sani Umar, mni, at the Command Headquarters in Minna.

Kokumo described the Nigeria Customs Service as a critical component of Nigeria’s security architecture, particularly in securing the country’s borders and intercepting 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 effectively tackle the circulation of illicit weapons and other transnational crimes.

According to him, sustained collaboration among security and law enforcement agencies is essential to protecting lives and property, safeguarding national assets and maintaining peace and stability across the country.

The NCCSALW boss also commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, mnipr, PhD, for his support for inter-agency cooperation and his leadership in promoting synergy among security agencies.

He said the NCCSALW would continue to strengthen its partnership with the Nigeria 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.

Responding, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Sani Umar, appreciated the NCCSALW delegation for the visit and reaffirmed the Command’s readiness to deepen its collaboration with the Centre in the interest of national security.

Umar said the Niger/Kogi Area Command remained committed to enforcing government policies, securing the nation’s borders and supporting lawful initiatives designed to curb the proliferation of illicit weapons.

He added that the Command would continue to improve its operational strategies and intelligence-gathering mechanisms while maintaining effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders and sister security agencies.

The Customs Area Controller also acknowledged the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his support and efforts to reposition the Nigeria Customs Service for greater efficiency, professionalism and inter-agency cooperation.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both organisations to identify areas of mutual interest and explore practical measures to improve intelligence gathering, information sharing, capacity development and coordinated enforcement operations.

The engagement ended with a renewed commitment by the NCCSALW and the Nigeria Customs Service to work together towards building a safer and more secure Nigeria through effective arms control, stronger border security and sustained inter-agency collaboration.

Signed:
ASC I A.A. Zakariya, anipr
Command Public Relations Officer
For: Customs Area Controller
Nigeria Customs Service, Niger/Kogi Area Command, Minna