National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the alleged reckless and unchecked inflow of arms and ammunition into Nigeria through land borders.
Comrade Damilola Simeon Kehinde chairman, NANS, Joint Campus Committee, JCC/Ogun Axis and Comrade Ogunrombi Gbemileke
National president, Association of Ogun State Students, in a joint statement on Thursday, called on the federal government to order water-tight security around the borders across the country.
The students particularly expressed concerns over the inability of the Nigeria Customs Services, Ogun Area 1 command, to curb this illicit trade, which has continued to jeopardize the security and safety of the Nigerian people.
The statement read 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.
“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.
“Rather than diligently prevent life-threatening commodities from entering the country, they prefer to raid shops and seize bags of rice, all while allowing deadly arms to freely find their way into the wrong hands.
“This grossly unprofessional and irresponsible behavior has caught the attention of the Ogun State House of Assembly, leading to rightful chastisement by the speaker.
“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.
“We 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,” he said.
