How porous our borders are to the perpetration of illegalities was once again made manifest in the recent seizure of the 661 rifles by men of the Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL have said, through its Executive Chairman, Mr Debo Adeniran.
He was peaking against the background of the seizure of 661 pump action rifles imported into the country from China illegally by men of the Federal Operations Unit, Nigeria Custom Service at Mile 2, on Lagos. 49 boxes of munitions concealed with steel doors and other merchandize goods in a 40ft container were reported have been seized on January 22, 2017, with some of the importers and officers of the NCS arrested.
Adeniran said, “the incident explains widespread of illegal arms ammunitions in the country. So the incident itself cannot be too surprising for most discerning Nigerians who had understood prior to now known that the country has been sitting on ‘a keg of gun-powder’ for long”
“We see almost only daily basis, the reckless display of even more powerful and sophisticated weapons by militants, insurgents, kidnappers, armed robbers etc has their activities have continue to put the country in a state of catastrophic equilibrium. This particular incident happening at this particular time when violence is being preached and promoted in the country makes the whole scenario scary and dangerous. What just need to ask ourselves what those ammunitions were being brought in the country for the and the danger and wariness of the situation will us back in the face. ”
“However, the fundamental issue is what we as a people have to do to halt this kind of negative progression in our country for very obvious reasons. With the security and well-being of the people having been relegated in the prioritizations of government for a long time, and corruption still pervading the institutions and agencies, with the social condition that has thrown up this scenario remaining intact; a society like ours inadvertently would grapple with dangers of this sort.”
“Consequently, the country wholesomely, is kept under a perpetual siege by bloodletting groups (including amorphous groups), individuals, politicians and state actors basically to sustain a system that tenaciously intend to keep its’ grip of the socio-political and economic direction of the country for their selfish interests.”
“This is why we must not look at the recent incident in isolation in reacting and taking decisive action. Thus, if the government is going to draw profound lessons and make use of them in reacting to the 661 rifles importation, it must recognize that incidences like this happen where the State has failed in guaranteeing the protection of lives and property.” Adeniran averred
“The borders of country with security consciousness are very well monitored to control and nip in the bud incidences like this. The porosity of any country’s border determines what can get in or out of such country. It is time that the corrupt elements in the State agencies, establishments, Services etc are weeded out because they abet and even help contrive the illegalities that takes place at our borders to a very large extent.”
“The present case must be handled in manner that will on the long run discourage arms trafficking in the country. This requires ensuring that proper investigations are carried out and diligent prosecutions are done to achieve punitive which will serve as deterrent to others. This can only happen if corruption and lack of openness does not get involved in the processes. This will demonstrate the self-avowed readiness of government to combat corruption and provisioning of good governance which will be in the interest of the vast majority where society will be rid of the subsisting social conditions and relations.
“Nigerians from all walks of life must get involved in pressuring the government to ensure that the present case is not swept ‘under the carpets’ with its processes shrouded in secrecy. All the suspects, their sponsors and officials of NCS involved must be fished out for prosecution. The culpable ones must be ‘scape-goated’ to serve as examples to other potential criminal elements.”
“Also, the NCS and the other enforcement agencies and services must be adequately equipped to confront the challenges of checkmating the heartless criminals that specializes in so-called businesses that lead to affordable loss of lives and property. The borders must be equipped with necessary gadgets that will enhance easy revelation of the cunning ways of merchants of death bringing their merchandise of deaths into the country. The holes of corruption in the public services must be plugged to avoid future incidences of this nature.”
“This is how we can avoid or abate the negative progression represented in illegal arms trafficking, corruption and mis-governance to guarantee the security of lives and property on the long run in our country.” Adeniran concluded
Wale Salami
Media Coordinator, CACOL
08141121208
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