Insecurity: Court Orders Handover of Assorted Firearms to NCCSALW

The High Court of Justice, Yobe State, Potiskum Division, has ordered the release and handover of assorted small arms and light weapons to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), North East Zonal Centre as a measure in curtailing insecurity in the country.

The judgement, delivered on October 21, 2026, directed the centre to take custody of the firearms, which include AK-47, K2 and G3 rifles, for further necessary action in line with the law.

The case, marked Suit No.YBS/HC/PT/194m/2026, was instituted by the Honourable Attorney-General of Yobe State against the NCCSALW North East Zonal Centre.

The presiding judge granted all the reliefs sought by the applicant pursuant to Section 351 of the Yobe State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), 2020, and Sections 4(d), 21, 23, 31 and 32 of the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act, 2024.

Following the judgement, the North-East Zonal Director of the NCCSALW, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Adamu (rtd.) represented by Col. Saad Ahmed (Rtd), Zonal Arms Registrar took custody of the firearms.

The centre’s representative did not oppose the application, paving the way for the court to grant the requested reliefs and facilitate the transfer of the weapons.

The handover is expected to enable the NCCSALW to take further action on firearms in accordance with the provisions of the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act, 2024, and its statutory mandate to regulate and control small arms and light weapons.

The development underscores the role of judicial processes and inter-agency cooperation in ensuring that recovered or seized firearms are handled in accordance with established legal procedures.

Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Adamu (rtd.) called on all the Chief Judges in Northeast to facilitate the handing over of all illicit small arms and light weapons impounded to the centre for onward destruction.