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The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has called for enhanced strategic collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria and Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in a renewed push to curb the proliferation of illicit arms across the country, particularly in the North East.
The appeal was made by the Director General of NCCSALW, Deputy Inspector General of Police Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (Rtd), and conveyed by the North East Zonal Director of the Centre, Major General Abubakar Adamu (Rtd), during a high-level engagement at the Headquarters of OPHK in Maiduguri on Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
Major General Adamu commended the Theatre Command for its sustained operational successes in the recovery and seizure of illegal arms and ammunition, noting that the visit was aimed at strengthening existing cooperation and improving coordinated responses to security challenges linked to illicit weapons circulation.
He emphasized that NCCSALW, as the statutory body mandated to prevent, control, and eliminate the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, remains committed to working closely with security agencies to ensure proper recovery, documentation, and destruction of illegal arms in line with global best practices. He also urged continued adherence to established protocols for the handover of recovered weapons to the Centre.
In his response, the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, described the partnership as timely and vital, reaffirming the military’s commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at arms control and regional stabilization. He noted that evolving security threats continue to fuel the movement of illicit weapons but expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among stakeholders would yield lasting results.
Major General Abubakar further disclosed that OPHK had recovered significant quantities of small arms and light weapons between January and June 2026 through ongoing kinetic and non-kinetic operations against terrorist elements, reaffirming the military’s resolve to deepen cooperation with NCCSALW in restoring peace and security in the North East.
The engagement ended with a facility tour, signing of the visitors’ register, and a group photograph, marking another milestone in the growing synergy between NCCSALW and Operation HADIN KAI in strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture.
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