The Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (Rtd), has commended the Centre’s South-West Zonal Office for its outstanding operational performance, describing it as one of the most active and productive formations in the country.
Kokumo gave the commendation during the annual operational inspection of the South-West Zonal Office in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
He was represented by the Director of Policy and Plans, Major General Sani Sulaiman (Rtd), who conveyed the Director-General’s message to officers and personnel of the zone.
According to the NCCSALW boss, the commendation was based on favourable operational reports and intelligence assessments submitted to the Centre’s headquarters, which highlighted the zone’s achievements in intelligence gathering, stakeholder engagement and efforts aimed at curbing the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.
He specifically praised the leadership of the South-West Zonal Director, retired Commissioner of Police Abiodun Mustapha Alamutu, for maintaining professionalism and driving operational effectiveness across the region.
Kokumo also assured personnel that the enactment of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Act 2024 has strengthened the legal framework guiding the Centre’s operations and would support institutional growth, improved career development opportunities and enhanced staff welfare.
Earlier, Alamutu briefed the inspection team on activities within the zone, highlighting strengthened collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and sustained stakeholder engagements across the South-West states.
He also acknowledged the support of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, which donated a patrol vehicle to the Centre and facilitated capacity-building programmes for personnel, describing the intervention as a significant boost to operational efficiency.
As part of the inspection exercise, the delegation visited the permanent site of the South-West Zonal Office in Ado-Ekiti and held strategic meetings with key security agencies, including the Ekiti State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akure, Ondo State.
During the engagements, the agencies reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation and intelligence sharing in tackling the spread of illicit small arms and light weapons, which continue to pose security challenges across the country.
The Director-General reiterated the Centre’s determination to enhance its operational capabilities, deepen collaboration with relevant stakeholders and sustain coordinated efforts aimed at reducing the circulation of illegal weapons.
He stressed that stronger partnerships among security agencies and communities remain critical to achieving the Centre’s mandate of building a safer and more secure Nigeria.
“The Centre remains committed to strengthening its operational capacity and fostering collaboration with all critical stakeholders in order to curb the proliferation of illicit arms and promote lasting peace and security across the country,” he said.
