Customs hands over 189000 ammunition has been completed by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Niger/Kogi Area Command.
The Command has formally handed over 189,000 rounds of live ammunition seized from suspected illicit arms dealers to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).
The ammunition was intercepted by Customs personnel during a routine patrol at Wawa village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Comptroller of the Niger/Kogi Area Command, Sani Mohammed Umar, explained that the seized ammunition had remained in the custody of the service since 2018 due to litigation arising from the seizure.
He warned that the circulation of such a large quantity of illegal ammunition could have devastating consequences, especially at a time when the country is facing serious security challenges.
Umar disclosed that the consignment comprised 7,560 packages, with each package containing 25 rounds, making a total of 189,000 rounds of live ammunition.
Receiving the items, the North-Central Zonal Director of the NCCSALW, Abdul Adamu Eneche, who represented the Director-General of the Centre, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd), commended the Customs Service for the handover.
He described the action as a clear demonstration of effective synergy among security agencies.
Eneche stated that the illegal ammunition would undergo the required procedures before being destroyed. He emphasised that destruction was necessary to prevent the seized ammunition from finding its way back into the hands of criminals.
“I am optimistic that stronger cooperation, information sharing, effective border control and public awareness would reduce the availability of illegal arms in the hands of criminal groups,” he said.
The handover ceremony took place in Minna, Niger State.
Officials noted that the transfer forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure proper management and control of recovered arms and ammunition, while strengthening measures against the proliferation of illicit weapons in the country.
The development further highlights the continued collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the fight against the illegal circulation of arms and ammunition.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working closely to curb the movement of illegal weapons across Nigeria’s borders and within the country.
