The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a renewed commitment to enhancing surveillance and enforcement measures aimed at curbing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country. This declaration was made on Tuesday by Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, during a meeting with the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
CGC Adeniyi welcomed the NCCSALW delegation, led by National Coordinator DIG Babatunde Kokumo (rtd), at the Service’s Headquarters in Abuja. He described the appointment of Kokumo as “placing a round peg in a round hole,” and highlighted the NCS’s dedication to their alliance aimed at promoting public safety and security through advocacy and effective public awareness.
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“I want to believe that you’ve brought a wealth of experience to this assignment, and I have no doubt that you will have a successful tour of duty,” said CGC Adeniyi. “Let me also say that Nigeria Customs Service is delighted to collaborate with the centre to create your mandate.”
Addressing the ongoing security challenges in the West African sub-region, CGC Adeniyi pointed to the NCS’s recent successes in intercepting illegal arms shipments. “You remember that some few days ago, we recorded a successful interception of arms and other military wares at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos. If you may recall, we’ve also had some similar seizures before in Port Harcourt Port, Onne. Earlier this year, we had some interception at the Tincan Ports with drugs,” he recounted.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “As a Service, we are interested in the lessons we should learn from these seizures. There’s a need to improve our investigations not just for those who bring in small arms and light weapons, but in encountering smugglers daily.”
DIG Babatunde Kokumo (rtd) expressed gratitude for the NCS’s support and collaboration, noting the multi-agency nature of the NCCSALW. “Let me thank you for the opportunity accorded us to meet you, and I wish to let you know that we have been monitoring your activities,” he said.
He commended the CGC for the recent arms and ammunition seizures, acknowledging their significant impact on controlling the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. “It may interest the CGC, Sir, that the centre, being multi-agency by nature, has major government agencies, including customs officers, working at the centre fighting the proliferation of small arms and light weapons,” Kokumo added.