By Joy Onu
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has pledged a stronger institutional partnership with the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) to curb illicit arms proliferation, strengthen intelligence sharing and enhance internal security across the country.
Disu said the collaboration would focus on real-time intelligence sharing on firearms trafficking routes and criminal syndicates, stronger accountability measures and periodic audits of police armouries, as well as a coordinated crackdown on local blacksmiths and artisans involved in the illegal fabrication of weapons.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the Inspector-General made the pledge on Tuesday while receiving the Director-General of the NCCSALW, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (retd.), and members of the Centre’s executive management team during a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to the statement, the visit was aimed at transforming the existing collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Centre from an ad hoc arrangement into a permanent, structured and institutionalised partnership.
The IGP said reducing the number of illegal firearms in circulation would enhance the safety of police officers and improve operational effectiveness nationwide.
He also referenced the Force’s ongoing civil disarmament operations ahead of the forthcoming general elections, noting that closer collaboration with the Centre would strengthen the success of the initiative.
Disu further commended the NCCSALW for its specialised training support to police armourers and expressed the Force’s readiness to expand the programme to improve armoury security across the country.
Earlier, Kokumo praised the Inspector-General for the successful implementation of his Six-Point Agenda, saying it had made a positive impact on internal security nationwide.
He said the Centre’s mandate is derived from the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Weapons, which requires member states to establish dedicated institutions to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit arms trade.
Kokumo said that the Centre had destroyed more than 10,000 illicit weapons since its establishment, including a significant number recovered through operations conducted by the Nigeria Police Force.
The police said the renewed partnership reflects the Force’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with relevant security agencies to curb arms proliferation, reinforce armoury discipline and protect lives and property across the country.
