NCCSALW Refutes Viral Claims Linking Ribadu to Arms Seizure

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has dismissed a viral video that falsely alleged that suspects arrested in connection with the seizure of 399 assorted automatic weapons at Tin Can Island Port were sponsored by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. DIG Johnson Kokumo, the Director-General of NCCSALW, clarified during a security briefing in Abuja that he was present at the port when the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted the weapons and handed them over to the Centre.

He emphasized that both he and the Comptroller-General of Customs were personally involved in the handover, contradicting the video's claims. Kokumo described the video's content as baseless and noted that it incited violence against Ribadu and others.

Currently, two suspects related to the illegal importation are in custody as investigations expand to identify a broader network, including potential international connections. The weapons were formally handed over to NCCSALW on August 17, 2026.