The Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN) has hosted its annual Inter-Agency Seminar, bringing together key security stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for tackling illicit arms proliferation and strengthening inter-agency collaboration for enhanced national security.
The seminar, held on 14 August 2025 at the NWCN Auditorium, marked the culmination of the Inter-Agency Module of Naval Warfare Course 9, which began on 12 August with a series of lectures by seasoned professionals from various security agencies.
With the theme “Strengthening Security Agencies Collaboration to Counter Illicit Arms Proliferation for Enhanced National Security in Nigeria”, the event drew experts from across the security sector to share insights and foster coordinated responses to the growing menace of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the country.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Alex Inemoh Ebimiebo, Zonal Director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), South-South, warned of the dangers posed by the unchecked flow of illicit arms, which he noted continue to fuel terrorism, organised crime, and armed violence across Nigeria.
He stressed that addressing the challenge requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, urging agencies to prioritise national interest over parochial mandates while reinforcing institutional capacity to combat corruption and enforce existing laws.
He also highlighted ongoing NCCSALW initiatives aimed at deepening inter-agency cooperation, calling for stronger synergy among stakeholders to curb the scourge.
In his closing remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, Rear Admiral Kennedy Chukwuemeka Ezete, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, tasked participants to ensure that the recommendations of the seminar are implemented. He underscored the need to translate discussions into practical actions that will strengthen national security.
“We must ensure that the suggestions and way forward developed here are implemented effectively and that the partnerships forged are sustained,” Rear Admiral Ezete said, urging participants to carry the insights gained back to their respective agencies.
The seminar reinforced the College’s role in fostering joint solutions to Nigeria’s pressing security challenges and underscored the importance of collaboration in countering illicit.
