On Thursday, the National Association of Nigerian Students issued a call for concern regarding the “reckless and unchecked inflow of arms and ammunitions into Nigeria through land borders.”
In a statement that was made available to our correspondent in Abuja, the student body noted that it was reliably informed that the ammunitions were smuggled in through Ogun state land borders. This information was included in the statement.
The statement, which was signed by the Chairman of the NANS, Joint Campus Committee, Damilola Simeon, and the secretary of the committee, Ogunrombi Gbemileke, called on the government to immediately order tight security around borders across the country.
The statement says, 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, jeopardising the security and safety of the Nigerian people.” We raised concerns about the unchecked flow of arms into the country a few months ago, but our concerns were disgracefully ignored by the customs authorities, who claimed that our concerns were driven by political motivations.
“Now, the truth has been exposed, 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 kilometres away from the porous land border. We are not oblivious to the fact that the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area Command, has displayed a shocking disregard for the security of our nation.
NANS made it clear that it would not tolerate such blatant disregard for the safety of other Nigerians and stated that it would not make an exception in this case.
“As the voice of Nigerian students in Ogun State and beyond, we unequivocally declare that we will not tolerate this blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of our fellow citizens and that we will not tolerate this at any time in the future. The lives and futures of the Nigerian people are at risk, and we will not remain apathetic onlookers as this threat engulfs our country; the Nigerian people have our full support.
However, it 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 the 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 statement read. “The deadline is strict and non-negotiable.”
“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. “This must be done immediately.”
The body further demands the investigation and removal of erring officers, as well as the appointment of credible, hardworking, and committed individuals who will prioritise the safety and security of our cherished nation over any other consideration.
Speaking further in the statement, the student body noted that it would mobilise students for protests should the government fail to take adequate measures.
“Should you fail to comply with our demands within the allotted amount of time, we will have no choice but to resort to extreme measures.”
“We will not hesistate to mobilise Nigerian students and concerned citizens to embark on peaceful but forceful protests at the Customs Area 1 office and other relevant locations,” the statement read. “We will not hesitate to do this.” According to NANS, “Our demonstrations will disrupt their operations and bring national attention to their incompetence and negligence.”
