Nigeria Police and Arms Centre Boost Joint Fight Against Illicit Weapons

The Nigeria Police Force and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) announced plans for deeper institutional collaboration to curb the spread of illegal firearms that fuel terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in Nigeria and the wider West African region.

Director‑General Johnson Kokumo, a retired DIG, said the proliferation of illicit arms and violent extremism are inseparable vices. Since its inception, the Centre has destroyed more than 16,000 obsolete, unserviceable and decommissioned weapons. The police supplied 11,907 such items, including 8,438 automatic weapons and 3,489 locally fabricated firearms. Kokumo identified porous borders, diversion from government stockpiles and artisanal production as the three main sources of illegal arms.

Backed by a new act signed on 4 June 2024, the Centre aims to improve armoury discipline, intelligence sharing, prosecution and training, moving away from ad‑hoc engagements toward structured, sustained cooperation. Recent efforts include an investigation of a shipment of illicit weapons intercepted at Onne Port in Rivers State.