Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit arms across Nigeria through enhanced collaboration with key stakeholders, as the Director-General of the Centre, Deputy Inspector General Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd), undertook a three-day working visit to Maiduguri, Borno State, to strengthen partnerships and advance measures against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the North-East.
The visit, which commenced on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, reinforced the federal government's resolve to curb the spread of illegal firearms in one of Nigeria's most volatile regions, according to multiple reports. Upon arrival in the Borno State capital, Kokumo was received by the North East Zonal Director of NCCSALW, Major General Adamu Abubakar (rtd), along with senior management and staff, showcasing the Centre's cohesive command structure and its commitment to fulfilling its critical national security mandate.
Speaking during a dinner and stakeholders' engagement attended by representatives of the Borno State Government and security agencies, Kokumo, represented by the Director of Administration and Finance of NCCSALW, Brigadier General M. S. Adamu, stated that the Centre was working closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to recover illicit weapons for destruction and that the Federal Government had empowered the centre to prosecute individuals involved in the illegal arms trade. He stressed that stronger cooperation among relevant institutions would significantly reduce the circulation of illegal weapons and contribute to improved security nationwide. He explained that NCCSALW was established through an Act of the National Assembly in 2024 to address the proliferation, trafficking, unlawful possession and misuse of small arms and light weapons in the country, noting that the North-East Zonal Centre, headquartered in Maiduguri, covers Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states.
In a display of proactive leadership, Kokumo convened an urgent strategy session with zonal staff immediately after arrival. The closed-door deliberations focused on overcoming operational hurdles, improving personnel welfare, and developing a comprehensive roadmap for bolstering border security cooperation in the restive Lake Chad region. The meeting reinforced the Centre's agility in responding to emerging threats while ensuring staff operating in high-risk environments receive adequate support.
As part of efforts to establish a lasting institutional presence in the region, the DG inspected the ongoing construction of the zone's permanent office complex. The facility, designed as a modern command and control hub, is expected to significantly enhance the Centre's operational coordination across the North East. Expressing satisfaction with the construction progress, Kokumo charged contractors to expedite work to deliver a befitting operational headquarters for the Zone. He also conducted a thorough inspection of the proposed armoury site for the zonal centre, aimed at ensuring that the storage, documentation, and safeguarding of recovered and voluntarily surrendered illicit weapons meet global standards.
In a significant civil-military collaboration, Kokumo paid a courtesy call on the Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, at the Maimalari Cantonment Headquarters. Discussions during the meeting centred on strengthening intelligence sharing frameworks to curb the flow of illegal arms that sustain the Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies. Major General Abubakar commended the Theatre Command for its sustained operational successes in the recovery and seizure of illegal arms and ammunition, noting that the visit was aimed at strengthening existing cooperation and improving coordinated responses to security challenges linked to illicit weapons circulation. He emphasised that NCCSALW remains committed to working closely with security agencies to ensure proper recovery, documentation, and destruction of illegal arms in line with global best practices, while urging continued adherence to established protocols for the handover of recovered weapons to the Centre.
In his response, the Theatre Commander described the partnership as timely and vital, reaffirming the military's commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at arms control and regional stabilisation. He disclosed that OPHK had recovered significant quantities of small arms and light weapons between January and June 2026 through ongoing kinetic and non-kinetic operations against terrorist elements, reaffirming the military's resolve to deepen cooperation with NCCSALW in restoring peace and security in the North East.
The North-East Zonal Director of NCCSALW, Major General Adamu Abubakar (retd), disclosed that the zone had already commenced the implementation of a multi-agency liaison framework designed to enhance operational synergy among relevant institutions. He described the stakeholders' engagement as a significant step toward institutionalising regular coordination mechanisms that would ensure continuous collaboration beyond the event.
Representing civil society organisations at the engagement, Abubakar Suleiman highlighted the vital role community groups play in intelligence gathering, public awareness campaigns and early warning systems that help prevent the spread of illicit arms. Similarly, Zannah Mustapha advocated greater involvement of youths, traditional rulers and grassroots institutions in efforts to combat the circulation of illegal weapons. The event concluded with an interactive dinner session that provided security chiefs, government officials and civil society representatives the opportunity to strengthen relationships and exchange ideas on practical strategies for improving inter-agency cooperation.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, represented by his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Brigadier General Ishak, commended the Centre's efforts in tackling illegal arms proliferation and pledged the state's continued support towards achieving its mandate. Among those present at the engagement were the Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisation Network in Borno State, Barrister Zana Mustapha; the Borno State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC); as well as representatives of the DSS, NDLEA, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and senior officials of the centre.
The engagement ended with a facility tour, signing of the visitors' register, and a group photograph, marking another milestone in the growing synergy between NCCSALW and Operation HADIN KAI in strengthening Nigeria's national security architecture. DIG Kokumo assured participants that recommendations and observations generated from the engagement would be forwarded to the Office of the National Security Adviser for consideration, with a view to translating the discussions into concrete policy actions and operational outcomes.
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