The Nigeria Police Force has handed over more than 11,000 recovered firearms and other weapons to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) for destruction.
The Director-General of the NCCSALW, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd.), disclosed this on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, at the Command Headquarters in Minna.
Kokumo explained that the transfer and destruction of the recovered weapons were necessary to prevent them from being recirculated into the hands of criminal elements.
According to him, the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons continues to contribute significantly to banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for directing state police commands to transfer recovered arms and ammunition to the Centre after the completion of investigations and other required procedures.
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The NCCSALW boss also called for stronger collaboration and information sharing between the Niger State Police Command and the Centre, stressing that effective inter-agency cooperation was crucial to curbing the spread of illicit weapons.
He noted that the Federal Government established the NCCSALW to coordinate efforts to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, with zonal structures already established across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and plans underway to strengthen operations at the state level.
Responding, CP Elleman described Kokumo as a distinguished retired senior police officer, mentor and seasoned professional. He assured the NCCSALW of the command’s continued cooperation and support.
The Commissioner further pledged that firearms and ammunition recovered by the Niger State Police Command would be transferred to the Centre through the appropriate channels once investigations and other necessary procedures had been concluded.
The latest development underscores ongoing efforts by Nigeria’s security agencies to remove illicit weapons from circulation and tackle the security challenges associated with banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, particularly in the North-Central region.
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