The reported “reckless and unchecked inflow of arms and ammunition into Nigeria through land borders” alarmed the National Association of Nigerian Students on Thursday.
The student body claimed that it had reliable information that the ammunition had been brought in illegally over the land borders of the Ogun state in a statement made accessible to our correspondent in Abuja.
The government was urged in the statement, which was signed by the chairman of the NANS Joint Campus Committee, Damilola Simeon, and the committee’s secretary, Ogunrombi Gbemileke, to immediately impose strict border security throughout the nation.
The statement reads in part, “We are outraged and appalled by the blatant failure of the Nigeria Customs Services, Ogun Area 1 Command, to curb this illicit trade, jeopardizing the security and safety of the Nigerian people. Several months ago, we sounded the alarm about the unhindered smuggling of arms, but it was shamefully dismissed and branded as politically motivated by the customs authorities.
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“Now, the truth is laid bare, as a truck loaded with dangerous firearms was recently apprehended by the Nigerian Army along Ajilete-Owode Road in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, mere kilometers away from the porous land border. We are not oblivious to the fact that the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area Command, has shown a shocking disregard for the security of our nation.”
NANS stated it would not permit such blatant disregard for the security of other Nigerians.
“As the voice of Nigerian students in Ogun State and beyond, we unequivocally state that we will not tolerate this blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of our fellow citizens. The lives and future of the Nigerian people are at stake, and we will not be silent observers while this menace engulfs our nation.
It, however, urges the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area Command to “stop the inflow of arms and ammunition into Nigeria through land borders or face dire consequences.
“We give the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service, a strict and non-negotiable ultimatum of seven working days to take decisive action and put an end to this dangerous trend.
“The Comptroller-General must as a matter of urgency within this time frame, embark on the immediate and compulsory reshuffling, redeployment, and auditing of officers within the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area 1 Command,” NANS said.
The body further demand the probing, and flushing out of erring officers and the appointment of credible, hardworking, and committed individuals who will prioritize the safety and security of our beloved nation over any other consideration.
Speaking further in the statement, the student body noted that it would mobilize students on protests should the government fail to take adequate measures.
“Failure to comply with our demands within the stipulated time frame will leave us with no choice but to take drastic measures.
“We will not hesitate to mobilize Nigerian students and concerned citizens to embark on peaceful but forceful protests at the Customs Area 1 office and other relevant locations. Our protests will disrupt their operations and bring national attention to their incompetence and negligence,” NANS said.
