The Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), DIG Johnson Kokumo (retd.), has dismissed allegations circulating in a viral video claiming that suspects arrested over the seizure of illegal arms at Tin Can Island Port were allegedly sponsored by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Kokumo described the claims as false and baseless while addressing journalists on Tuesday in Abuja during the joint security spokespersons’ briefing.
He said he was personally present at the Tin Can Island Port when the Nigerian Customs Service handed over 399 assorted automatic weapons intercepted at the port to the NCCSALW.
“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, and this cache of illegal weapons was handed over to the centre,” Kokumo said.
The NCCSALW director-general stressed that he attended the handover in person and not in a representative capacity, adding that the Comptroller-General of Customs was also personally present.
Kokumo disclosed that the seized weapons are currently being kept in a secured armoury, while two suspects arrested in connection with the alleged illegal importation remain in custody.
He said investigations are ongoing to identify and prosecute those involved in the illegal arms importation, including any possible international criminal partners operating outside Nigeria.
“As I’m talking to you, the arms are in a secured armoury.
Two suspects arrested in connection with the illegal importation are currently in custody.
Investigation is ongoing with a view to bringing to book the criminal elements in Nigeria and possibly identifying their international criminal partners outside the shores of Nigeria,” he said.
Kokumo further condemned the contents of the viral video, particularly its alleged call for violence against the NSA and other individuals.
He reiterated that the allegations linking Ribadu to the suspects were unfounded and urged the public not to be misled by the claims circulating online.
“So, what has gone viral in the video is not correct and cannot be correct,” Kokumo stated.
