By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Nigeria has intensified efforts to tighten control over weapons stockpiles as part of a broader strategy to curb the spread of illicit arms and bolster national security.

The Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), retired DIG Johnson Kokumo, said this at the graduation of security personnel trained in arms physical security and stockpile management in Abuja.

Kokumo said the initiative was aimed at closing critical gaps in weapons handling systems across security agencies, stressing that improved storage, tracking and accountability mechanisms were key to preventing misuse.

He noted that the training provided hands-on expertise in modern armoury practices, including inventory control, weapons marking, secure transportation and access management.

According to him, strengthening institutional capacity remains a sustainable approach to tackling arms proliferation and enhancing operational efficiency among security agencies.

“We are building a system where accountability and professionalism in arms management become standard practice,” he said.

Kokumo lauded the support of The HALO Trust and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, describing the partnership as pivotal to advancing Nigeria’s arms control architecture.

In his remarks, Country Director of The HALO Trust, Mr Richard Goss, said the programme underscored the importance of responsible weapons management in reducing violence and strengthening public safety.

Goss said the training aligned with global efforts to prevent the diversion of arms, adding that building local capacity was essential to achieving long-term peace and stability.

He urged the graduates to serve as catalysts for reform within their organisations by promoting best practices and upholding high standards in weapons management.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme, supported by international partners, is part of ongoing efforts to enhance security sector governance and prevent the proliferation of small arms. (NAN)