Newly-appointed director general of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) Deputy Inspector-General of Police Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (rtd) has pledged to mop up illegal arms across the country, as he assumes command.
He took over from the erstwhile DG Major General A.M. Dikko (rtd) during a brief but colourful ceremony to mark the transition of leadership in the centre.
In a statement by the director Strategic Communications and Information, NCCSALW, Group Captain Pius Okwuego, Major General AM Dikko (rtd), the pioneer national coordinator of NCCSALW, highlighted his efforts in steering the Centre in the right direction during his tenure.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the incoming national coordinator to build upon the foundation laid and take the centre to greater heights.
Kokumo in his remarks, acknowledged the achievements of his predecessor and pledged to continue the good work in fulfilling the centre’s mandate.
With over 30 years of exemplary service in the Nigeria Police Force, including roles as Commissioner of Police in charge of Armament and DIG of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department, DIG Kokumo brings a wealth of experience in crime prevention, security management, operational leadership and expertise directly relevant to combating illicit arms proliferation.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the official signing of handover notes and transfer of documents between the outgoing and incoming national coordinators.
“The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons remains committed to its mission of eradicating the menace of illicit small arms and light weapons proliferation in Nigeria, and looks forward to achieving even greater milestones under the leadership of Kokumo,” the statement reads.
The ceremony, held at the National Coordinator’s Conference Room, was attended by the centre’s management team, including the deputy national coordinator, directors and zonal coordinators.