Sir John Oforbike (ANLCA Chieftain)
The Customs is doing their best in curbing the importation of arms and ammunition and other illicit drugs through the sea ports. But one can’t say the same thing about the border stations, because we have too many porous unmanned borders, mostly from the northern part of the country, maybe because of fears of bandits and other terrorist groups operating along the border, fears of officers being attacked or killed on their duty post. As for sea ports, because of security measures that are in place; like scanning machines ,100% examinations and multiple security checks in the port and outside the exit corridors. However, such can’t be said of our borders, with so many unapproved routes, where smuggling thrives.
Igwe Kingsley (General Secretary, NAGAFF)
It’s difficult to argue this without misinformation because there is no sufficient data to analyse progress made as a result of the government’s efforts. However, inference can be made based on the level of insecurity in Nigeria and the proliferation of arms within the country. Based on this inference, one would ask, how did arms get to the hands of criminal elements? Were the arms imported? Has the government carried out a critical analysis on arms supplies for the past 5 to 10 years? One would also need to know what agency is responsible for the regulation of arms importation, where the arms used by criminal elements come from, local, smuggled, or imported and if imported, who are the consignee, consignor, clearing agents, and customs stations and the officers that clear them? The unbiased answers to these questions will really tell how serious the government is in its efforts to curbing arms importation in the country.
Pius Ujubonu (ANLCA Chieftain)
The Nigerian government has a lot of re-orientation to do. Nigeria’s emphasis on religious and ethnic loyalty tends to create quite a bit of problems. The level of border control and checks on the Nigeria borders are not the same . The northern borders are not as strictly controlled as the southern borders. There are chances of more ammunition coming in more through the north than the south. Two factors are likely to work in favour of smugglers, most of the northern borders are populated by the same cultural groups, religious and linguistic. Of course, the issue of corruption is also evident. Most notably reasonable breakthroughs recorded in arms smuggling are in the south and mostly seaports. Let the government be deliberate in their enforcement of arms control policy.
Taiwo Fatomilola (National PRO AREFFN)
A government that was born through robbery and falsehoods can’t do enough to curb crimes or any illegality. Take it or leave it, nothing positive done by the evil foundation will emerge well. There is a lot of illegality that should be corrected by the government. Charity they say begins at home. If the government is rid of corrupt practices, the importation or arms can be easily eradicated and intercepted in the country.
Anthony Onyike (National Vice President, NAFFAC)
Government has a good idea in banning the importation of arms through the land borders and the ports, it’s a good policy to control usage of arms and ammunitions, but the government agencies in charge of the ports and land borders are sabotaging government’s good intentions by colluding with illegal importers to import arms and ammunition through the land borders and the ports.
Clinton Okoro (APFFLON PRO, Tin Can Chapter)
They are doing their best anyways, but their best is not really resulting in the desires of the entire populace of the nation. We are still hearing of insecurity here and there which is the major cause of arms importation. Our politicians are not helping us. No matter what the Customs will do, the borders of Nigeria are still very porous. The Customs are trying, I can rate them 60 percent in trying to curb the importation of arms in the country.
Stanley Ezenga (General Secretary, Western Zone NAGAFF)
The Customs and other statutory bodies are in charge of imports and exports in Nigeria. Therefore, it is their duty to forestall any act of illegal arms importation through the ports or land borders. And for the fact that they have been arresting and intercepting these arms shows that they are at the top of their game. Customs don’t make laws; they only enforce laws made by the government. I think they are doing their best to forestall to the barest minimum the proliferation of arms and ammunitions in the country. However, the government is not doing enough because the current economic situation of the country is one of the major reasons we have rampant arms importation. They are trying, but their effort is not good enough.
Comrade Steve Ibeh (Founder, The Patriots Anti-Corruption Initiative)
I think the government is trying because I don’t know what else they can do apart from what they are doing. I don’t think there is any escape for arms and ammunition through our ports. So, anyone that tries to import arms and ammunition through the seaports will certainly be apprehended. I believe the government is doing enough in curbing these arms through the ports and the land borders.
Festus Ukwu (National Secretary, NCMDLCA)
There is a significant success in the interception of arms in the country in recent times. The Nigeria Customs Service is doing their best in curbing these importations. The government is trying their best, but they need to intensify efforts due to the increasing insecurity in the country. The customs agents too have a great role to play by not condoning or being an accomplice to the importation of arms into the country.
