Government intensifies crackdown on illegal arms trafficking as 11 suspects face prosecution over firearms and ammunition importation
The Federal Government has stepped up its fight against the proliferation of illegal firearms, with authorities announcing the destruction of 1,419 illicit weapons and the recovery of 5,449 firearms across the country in 2026.
The figures were disclosed on Tuesday, September 1, by the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, during a Joint Security News Briefing in Abuja.
The briefing brought together spokespersons of defence, security and law-enforcement agencies to update Nigerians on ongoing efforts to tackle the country’s security challenges.
More Than 19,000 Illegal Weapons Destroyed
Kokumo revealed that the 1,419 weapons destroyed were publicly disposed of on July 30 during the NCCSALW’s second-quarter arms destruction exercise in Abuja.
He said the latest exercise increased the number of illicit weapons destroyed by the Centre since 2022 to more than 19,000.
According to him, the destruction is part of the Federal Government’s strategy to prevent illegal firearms from getting into the hands of non-state actors and being used for terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Police, Customs Recover Thousands of Firearms
The NCCSALW boss said significant quantities of firearms had also been recovered through collaboration with other security and law-enforcement agencies.
He disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force handed over 5,050 illicit, unserviceable, decommissioned and obsolete automatic weapons to the Centre in June.
The Nigeria Customs Service, he added, intercepted and handed over 399 JOJEF automatic guns to the NCCSALW on August 17.
Other weapons were also recovered from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Intelligence Agency.
Kokumo said the Centre was working with justice-sector institutions to ensure that individuals involved in illegal arms trafficking, importation and manufacture were brought to justice.
11 Arrested Over Illegal Importation of Weapons
The Director-General further disclosed that 11 suspects had been arrested in connection with the illegal importation of 844 assorted automatic firearms and 112,500 rounds of ammunition.
The weapons and ammunition were allegedly concealed in a container intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Onne Port before being handed over to the NCCSALW.
Kokumo said the principal suspects remained in custody while investigations continued to track down other suspects believed to be at large.
He also disclosed that suspects connected to the illegal manufacture of firearms and ammunition in Minna, Niger State, had been arrested and prosecuted.
Government Moves to Stop Diversion of Firearms
Beyond recovering and destroying illegal weapons, the NCCSALW is also strengthening the management of firearms legally held by security agencies.
Kokumo said the Centre conducted physical security and stockpile management training for personnel of arms-bearing security agencies between May 18 and June 19.
The training was designed to prevent legally held weapons from being diverted into criminal circulation.
Nigeria to Conduct New Small Arms Survey
The NCCSALW has also begun preparations for a new national survey on small arms and light weapons.
Kokumo said the new survey would replace the 2016 exercise, which he noted no longer adequately reflected current realities.
A baseline workshop was held on August 20 with representatives of United Nations agencies, the Small Arms Survey, security agencies and relevant government institutions.
According to him, the new survey will provide updated information that will assist the government in designing more effective policies to combat the spread of illicit firearms.
NCCSALW Warns Nigerians Over Illegal Forest Security Group
Kokumo also urged Nigerians to distinguish the Federal Government’s proposed National Forest Guards initiative from the Nigeria Forest Security Service, which he described as an illegal organisation.
He said the National Forest Guards initiative was being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The NCCSALW chief disclosed that key members of the illegal organisation, including its leader, Joshua Osatimehin, had been arrested and were facing prosecution.
He added that a court order had directed the sealing of the organisation’s offices nationwide.
FG Seeks Public Cooperation
Kokumo reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to working with security agencies, international partners and other stakeholders to reduce the circulation of illicit small arms and light weapons.
He appealed to Nigerians to continue providing credible information to security authorities to help prevent criminal elements from gaining access to firearms.
The NCCSALW director-general stressed that the destruction of seized illicit weapons was consistent with international conventions on arms control to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The latest development underscores the Federal Government’s continuing efforts to disrupt the supply of firearms to criminal groups and strengthen national security through tighter weapons control.
