NANS urges action against arms proliferation in Ogun

On Thursday, the National Association of Nigerian Students issued a statement expressing concern regarding what it referred to as 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 had received credible information that the ammunitions had been smuggled into the country through the land borders of Ogun state.

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 stricter security around borders across the country. The statement was signed by both of them.

The following passage is an excerpt from the statement: “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 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. This road is located just a few kilometres away from the porous land border. We are not ignorant of the fact that the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area Command, has demonstrated an appalling disregard for the safety of our country.

NANS has stated that it will not tolerate such blatant disregard for the safety of other Nigerians and has threatened legal action.

“As the voice of Nigerian students in Ogun State and beyond, we unequivocally declare that we will not tolerate this flagrant disregard for the safety and well-being of our fellow citizens and that we will not tolerate it under any circumstances. We will not remain apathetic onlookers as this threat engulfs our country because the lives and futures of the people of Nigeria are at stake, and we will not remain silent.

However, it strongly urges the Ogun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service 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 there is no room for negotiation.”

“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 and compulsory.”

The body further demands the investigation and dismissal of erring officers, as well as the appointment of trustworthy, hardworking, and dedicated individuals who will put the welfare and protection of our cherished country ahead of any other concern.

In a subsequent portion of the statement, the student body mentioned that it would organise student demonstrations in the event that the government failed to take appropriate actions.

“Should you fail to comply with our demands within the allotted amount of time, we will be forced to resort to more 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 be protesting at the Customs Area 1 office and other relevant locations.” “Their operations will be disrupted, and they will be brought to the attention of the nation for their incompetence and negligence,” NANS said.