... Embarks on Familiarisation Visit to the NCCSALW North-West Zonal Office in Kaduna
The Director General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo mni (rtd), has warned against impostors misusing the name of the Centre and emphasized NCCSALW’s readiness to prosecute offenders.
DIG Kokumo gave this warning recently during his maiden familiarisation visit to the NCCSALW North West Zonal Office in Kaduna.
This visit according to Director, Strategic Communications and Information NCCSALW, Group Captain Pius Okwuego was part of his familiarisation working tour of all NCCSALW Zonal Offices, aimed at assessing current operational activities and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders, while acquainting himself firsthand with the location, personnel, and activities of the zonal office.
The DG during the visit acknowledged the receipt of 844 seized weapons intercepted at Onne by the Nigerian Customs Service, with 10 suspects linked to illegal arms importation currently undergoing prosecution.
DIG Kokumo conveyed greetings from the National Security Adviser and expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the North West Zonal Office.
He highlighted the critical link between insecurity and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, especially for the benefit of the stakeholders in attendance, and noted the recent assent of the Centre’s Bill by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, which now provides the Centre with the legal backing to fully execute its mandate.
The DG reiterated the importance of synergy between the Centre and arms-bearing agencies, as well as the essential role of collaboration with security forces, religious bodies, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Following the visit to the Zonal Office, the DG and his team paid a courtesy visit to the Government House in Kaduna, where they were warmly received by Her Excellency the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe. During this meeting, DIG Kokumo reiterated the Centre’s mandate to curb the proliferation of illicit weapons and sought the continued collaboration with the Kaduna State Government and other stakeholders.
He further discussed the recent destruction of over 2,400 illicit weapons at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment in Abuja on 17 October 2024, emphasizing the phased destruction of many more weapons still in the Centre's custody.
The Director General expressed gratitude to the Kaduna State Government for the provision of land for the construction of a permanent office for the NCCSALW North West Zone. He solicited continued collaboration from the State and other partners to achieve the Centre’s goal of ensuring peace and security across the region and the nation at large.
Following the meeting at the Government House, the DG proceeded to inspect the Zonal Centre's permanent office site, which is still under construction, as well as the proposed armoury site at the 1 Base Ordnance Depot, marking the conclusion of the working visit.
The Director General and his team were received by the Zonal Coordinator, Air Vice Marshal Haruna Umar Mohammed (rtd), who welcomed the visiting team and provided a comprehensive brief on the zone’s activities.
AVM Mohammed highlighted that the North West Zone comprises a dedicated team and presented a report on weapons recovered from various operations, including those handed over to the Zonal Centre by the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division Sokoto. He also discussed progress in the areas of training and recruitment.
