The Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, DIG Johnson Kokumo (retd.), has dismissed allegations linking the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to the importation of illegal arms intercepted at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
Kokumo described as false a viral video alleging that individuals arrested over the seizure of the weapons were allegedly sponsored by the NSA.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja during the joint security spokespersons briefing, Kokumo said he was personally present when the Nigerian Customs Service handed over 399 assorted automatic weapons intercepted at the port to the centre.
He said the claims contained in the viral video were baseless and could not be substantiated.
“The story in the video is not correct and cannot be correct. I was at the Tin Can Island Port with the Comptroller-General. 399 assorted automatic weapons were intercepted by the Nigerian Customs Service at the port,” Kokumo said.
According to him, the seized weapons have been secured in an armoury, while two suspects arrested in connection with the alleged illegal importation remain in custody.
He said investigations were ongoing to identify other individuals involved in the crime, including possible international criminal collaborators.
Kokumo also condemned the viral video for allegedly calling for violence against Ribadu and other individuals.
Government destroys recovered illicit weapons
The NCCSALW boss said the Federal Government had continued to destroy recovered illicit weapons to prevent them from being diverted into the hands of criminal groups and non-state actors.
He explained that the destruction programme was being carried out in line with Nigeria’s obligations under international agreements involving the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS.
According to Kokumo, the Second Quarter Arms Destruction Exercise for 2026, conducted on July 30 at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja, led to the destruction of 1,419 illicit weapons.
He said the latest exercise brought the total number of illicit weapons destroyed by the centre since 2022 to more than 19,000.
Kokumo said the initiative was aimed at reducing the availability of weapons used in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
Centre receives 5,050 weapons from police
The NCCSALW director-general further disclosed that the centre received 5,050 illicit, unserviceable, decommissioned and obsolete assorted automatic weapons recovered from the Nigeria Police Force in June 2026.
He added that 399 JOJEF automatic guns intercepted by the Nigeria Customs Service were handed over to the centre on August 17, 2026.
Government not targeting legitimate local arms manufacturers.
Kokumo clarified that the government was not targeting legitimate local arms manufacturers, noting that some artisanal producers possess skills that could be harnessed for national development.
He said the government’s focus was on criminal manufacturers producing sophisticated illicit weapons.
According to him, local manufacturing of traditional firearms has existed in some Nigerian communities for generations, particularly among hunters and artisanal producers.
He, however, warned that the emergence of sophisticated illicit weapons posed a serious security threat.
Kokumo said authorities had identified talented local manufacturers whose skills could potentially be integrated into government programmes and redirected towards productive national purposes.
