Abuja: The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has urged security agencies to intensify their commitment to armoury discipline, aiming to curb the proliferation of illicit weapons within the country. This call was made by the Director-General of the centre, retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, during the handover of a containerised armoury donated by the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) at the centre’s headquarters in Abuja. The armoury was presented to the Nigeria Police Force, Plateau Command, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance arms control, secure storage, and accountability within security agencies.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Kokumo emphasized that effective arms control necessitates not only operational efforts in the field but also strict accountability, proper record-keeping, and secure storage infrastructure. He described the newly handed over facility as a critical measure aimed at strengthening accountability and preventing the diversion of arms from government stockpiles. “What we mark today is not merely the transfer of a physical asset, but a shared commitment to ensuring that weapons under state control do not fall into the wrong hands,” Kokumo stated.
The proliferation of small arms and light weapons remains a significant threat across West Africa and the Sahel, contributing to insecurity, loss of lives, and community disruptions, Kokumo noted. He revealed that assessments have traced some illicit arms in circulation to weaknesses in armoury management and storage systems. The newly installed containerised armoury, built to international best practices, is expected to provide secure and accountable storage for arms and ammunition.
“As we receive this facility, we do so with a solemn commitment that every weapon stored here will be properly accounted for, every access logged, and every record maintained. I call on all arms-bearing agencies to ensure meticulous record-keeping, strict oversight, and zero tolerance for any form of leakage,” Kokumo urged. He highlighted that the project is part of a broader regional intervention funded by the United States Government and implemented by MAG across West Africa and the Sahel.
The intervention has also delivered over 1,300 small arms risk education sessions, reaching more than 22,000 persons, with dozens of personnel trained in armoury management, storekeeping, and weapons handling. Kokumo commended the United States Government, MAG, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Office of the National Security Adviser for their support and collaboration, emphasizing that strengthening armoury systems remains a key component of national security architecture.
Nicole Ntagabo, the Regional Director for MAG Sahel and West Africa, stated that the organisation has been supporting Nigeria for nearly a decade in weapons and ammunition management. She described the partnership with NCCSALW as critical to bolstering arms control efforts in Nigeria and across the ECOWAS region. “The control of small arms and light weapons is essential to ensure they do not fall into the wrong hands. This donation is not symbolic; it is a critical operational tool that will help security forces better manage and secure weapons responsibly,” Ntagabo said.
Ntagabo disclosed that MAG has donated between 30 and 35 containerised armouries across various parts of Nigeria over the years. She added that the support aims to assist Nigeria in implementing the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons and enhancing regional security.