Breaking: NCCSALW DG Touches Down in North East for High-Stakes 3-Day Arms Control Mission

By Yusuf A Yusuf 

The Director General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd), has arrived in Maiduguri for a strategic three-day working visit to the North East Zonal Centre, reinforcing the federal government's resolve to curb the spread of illegal firearms in one of Nigeria's most volatile regions.

The visit, which commenced on Tuesday, underscores the Centre's renewed dedication to its mandate under the Office of the National Security Adviser, particularly in mitigating the devastating impact of small arms and light weapons on communities ravaged by insurgency and banditry across the North East.

Upon touching down in the Borno State capital, the former Deputy Inspector General of Police was warmly received by the North East Zonal Director of the NCCSALW, Major General Adamu Abubakar (retd), along with senior management and staff. The reception showcased the Centre's cohesive command structure and its unwavering commitment to fulfilling its critical national security mandate.

In a display of proactive leadership, DIG Kokumo through his representative, Director of Administration and Finance, Brigadier General MS Adamu 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 further 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, DIG Kokumo charged contractors to expedite work to deliver a befitting operational headquarters for the Zone.

In a move highlighted Nigeria's commitment to international best practices, the DG conducted a thorough inspection of the proposed Armoury site for the Zonal Centre. 

The visit was aimed at ensuring that the storage, documentation, and safeguarding of recovered and voluntarily surrendered illicit weapons meet global standards.The inspection signals Nigeria's dedication to building international confidence and ensuring the secure management of confiscated arms.

In a significant civil military collaboration, DIG Kokumo paid a courtesy call on the Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General A.E. 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.

The engagement underscored the growing synergy between the NCCSALW and military operations, a partnership widely regarded as crucial to addressing the underlying drivers of insecurity in the North East.