By Sumaila Ogbaje

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has called on security agencies to redouble their commitment to armoury discipline to curb the proliferation of illicit weapons in the country.

The Director-General of the centre, retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, made the call at the handover of a containerised armoury donated by the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) at the centre’s headquarters in Abuja.

The armoury was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Plateau Command.

The ceremony underscores ongoing efforts to strengthen arms control, secure storage, and accountability within security agencies.

Kokumo said that effective arms control required not only operational efforts in the field but also strict accountability, proper record-keeping and secure storage infrastructure.

He described the facility as a critical intervention aimed at strengthening accountability and preventing 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,” he said.

The DG noted that proliferation of small arms and light weapons remained a major threat across West Africa and the Sahel, contributing to insecurity, loss of lives and disruption of communities.

He revealed that assessments had shown that some illicit arms in circulation were traced to weaknesses in armoury management and storage systems.

According to him, the newly installed containerised armoury, built to international best practices, would 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,” he said.

Kokumo said the project was part of a broader regional intervention funded by the United States Government and implemented by MAG across West Africa and the Sahel.

He added that the intervention had also delivered over 1,300 small arms risk education sessions reaching more than 22,000 persons, while dozens of personnel had been trained in armoury management, storekeeping and weapons handling.

The DG commended the United States Government, MAG, the Nigeria Police Force and the Office of the National Security Adviser for their support and collaboration.

He emphasised that strengthening armoury systems remained a key component of national security architecture.

“Security is built armoury by armoury, institution by institution, and partnership by partnership,” he said.

Speaking, the Regional Director for MAG Sahel and West Africa, Nicole Ntagabo, said the organisation had been supporting Nigeria for nearly a decade in weapons and ammunition management.

Ntagabo described the partnership with NCCSALW as critical to strengthening 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,” she said.

Ntagabo disclosed that MAG had donated between 30 and 35 containerised armouries across various parts of Nigeria over the years.

She added that the support was aimed at assisting Nigeria in implementing the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and enhancing regional security. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba