Enhancing National Security: Nigerian Air Force, Centre For Arms Control Unite Against Small Arms Proliferation

Enhancing National Security: Nigerian Air Force, Centre For Arms Control Unite Against Small Arms Proliferation

In a move towards enhancing national security, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar and the National Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Johnson Kokumo (Rtd), have reiterated their commitment towards curbing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country. This much formed a major part of their discussion when DIG Kokumo recently paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Headquarters, Abuja. During the visit, DIG Kokumo expressed his gratitude to the CAS for the ongoing support and for obliging the Centre the use of NAF facilities to store recovered arms and light weapons.

While highlighting some of the achievements of the Centre, the National Coordinator revealed that they have arrested some imposters parading themselves as overseeing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria and have been remanded in custody. He also informed the CAS that the Nigerian Customs Services recently handed over 55 unassembled pump action guns to the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of NCCSALW, thus marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to curb arms proliferation.

In response, Air Marshal Abubakar congratulated DIG Kokumo on his appointment, noting that, “No doubt Mr President has made the best choice in appointing you because of your pedigree and fabulous track record and experience.” He went on to state that as government agencies, the relationship between the NAF and the Centre remains critical to reducing the proliferation of illegal weapons in Nigeria for enhanced national security. While reassuring him of NAF’s commitment to curbing illegal arms proliferation, Air Marshal Abubakar also highlighted some specific areas of potential cooperation, including leveraging the military Airport Commandant’s offices to check illegal arms trafficking as well as the sharing of intelligence to assist in the control of arms proliferation.

The visit concluded with mutual expressions of commitment to ongoing collaboration and support for enhanced national security of Nigeria.