In a significant move to combat the proliferation of illicit arms, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially handed over 1,599 assorted firearms and 2,298 live cartridges to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW). The weapons, which were intercepted in 2018 at the Tin Can Island Port, were formally transferred in Lagos, further reinforcing the NCS’s dedication to safeguarding national security.
The handover ceremony, which took place in Lagos, was attended by key security stakeholders. Customs Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi reiterated the agency’s unwavering commitment to curbing arms trafficking and ensuring the safety of Nigerian citizens. He emphasized that the interception and subsequent transfer of these weapons demonstrate the effectiveness of customs surveillance and intelligence-driven operations.
On his part, the Director-General of the NCCSALW, DIG Johnson Babatunde (Rtd), assured that the agency would continue to adhere to international arms control conventions. He underscored the importance of sustained vigilance and inter-agency collaboration in stemming the tide of illicit arms inflow into Nigeria. Babatunde called for enhanced cooperation between security agencies, regional bodies, and international partners to address the broader security challenges posed by illegal weapons.
The illegal arms trade remains a pressing issue in Nigeria, contributing to criminal activities, insurgency, and communal conflicts. The latest development marks a crucial step in enforcing stricter border protection and enhancing law enforcement efforts against arms smuggling.
The move aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which seeks to regulate the proliferation of firearms within the region. As part of continued efforts, security agencies are urged to maintain heightened surveillance and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to dismantle arms smuggling networks.
With growing concerns over national security, the NCS and NCCSALW’s collaboration sets a precedent for stricter enforcement against illegal arms proliferation, fostering a safer and more secure Nigeria.
