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Tag: security chiefs

  • JUST IN: Security chiefs give updates on insecurity challenges

    JUST IN: Security chiefs give updates on insecurity challenges

    Security chiefs are presently giving updates on the security situation in the country.

    The event chaired by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, is holding at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja.

    Present at the event are the representative of the Chief of Army Staff, representative of Chief of Naval Staff, representative of the Chief of Air Staff, the representative of the Inspector-General of Police, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, and Controller-General of Nigeria Correctional Service.

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    Also in attendance are principal staff officers from Defence and Services headquarters.

    The Nation reports that the CDS, service chiefs, and the Minister of State for Defence were, last week, in Sokoto State, on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, to access troops operation, following the resurgence of banditry in the state that led to the death of a traditional ruler.

    Detail shortly..

  • ‘Security chiefs must tackle challenges to boost economy’

    ‘Security chiefs must tackle challenges to boost economy’

    The Statistician-General of the Federation, Adeyemi Adeniran, has called on security chiefs to tackle insecurity to increase supply chain of the economy.

    Adeniran made the call at a public lecture/unveiling of ‘Impart Economic Journal’ published by the Executive Director of Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch, Splendour Agbonkpolor.

    He said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth recorded by the country was not sufficient enough to boost the economy.

    According to Adeniran, when the environment is secured, people will have access to farms and produce more food in the market, which will force prices down.

    He stressed that the country however needs security for the production of crude, saying ‘though the present security situation has not increased crude production, but had reduced oil theft and pipeline vandalism’.

    Adeniran, represented by the Head of the National Account Division, Dr Baba Madu, said: “We need national security to grow the economy, like agriculture for instance, if we have a reasonably secured environment in place people can access their farms and produce more thereby increasing the supply chain of the economy. There would be more food in the market and that will force prices down.

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    “We need security for the production of crude, even though the present security situation has not increased crude production, oil theft has reduced, and pipeline vandalism has reduced too.

    The economic growth in Q3 is 2.54, which is still not sufficient enough. To have reasonable growth, you need to have a triple increase more than the population growth rate, which is 2.6 – 2.8.”

    He further explained that agriculture can produce raw materials that have linkages to all sectors of the economy, ‘and when there is an increase in the value chain there will be an increase in additional economic activities’, he noted.

    Agbonkpolor said the theme of the event, ‘Public Private Partnership: The Key to Building Economic Resilience and National Security’, shows that no one can sit idle with the current Nigerian situation.

    He said: “Nigeria’s problems are not natural disasters that happen in other countries. However, our problem is that of poverty which is man-made. Therefore, Nigerians have the responsibility to find solutions that will eradicate it and not God.

    “Today’s event is most significant in the building of Nigeria’s economy; the issue addressed concerning Public Private Partnership is an area that is not fully optimised to bring about the rapid economic growth of the nation.

    “The partnership between the Impart Economic Journal with the Raw Material Research and Development Council was to strengthen public-private partnership policy as an effective tool to create wider opportunities for economic activities in Nigeria and create jobs and income-earning avenues for unemployed Nigerians.”

  • UPDATED: Security Chiefs shun sectoral debate with House of Reps

    UPDATED: Security Chiefs shun sectoral debate with House of Reps

    Security Chiefs in the country led by the Chief of Defence Staff on Thursday shunned an invitation from the House of Representatives to appear before it to engage in sectoral debate on issues of national importance.

    The House had scheduled to commence sectoral debate with issues of the security situation in the country on Thursday.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, General. Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun who were invited for the debate all stayed away.

    They, however, sent representations that were rejected by the House on the ground that they were supposed to appear in person because of the issues involved.

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    Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who raised a point of constitutional order said sections 88 and 89 of the constitution empower the House to invite anybody to offer explanations on national issues.

    According to him, when invited, such persons are supposed to honour such invitation by sending their Chief Executives to the parliament because the parliament is a grade one institution.

    He said it has been the practice of the House over time not to accept representation from persons invited to brief parliament and answer questions from them.

    He however moved a motion asking the House to suspend the sectoral debate with the security chiefs until such a time when their Chief Executives will appear that brief the House has answered their questions.

    The position of the Deputy Speaker was unanimously supported by members who voted to suspend the debate.

    Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen asked the delegation to report back to their principals that the House will not take representation, while rescheduling the debate with the Security Chiefs for Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

    The suspension of the debate, however, brought the plenary to an end as all other business of the House had earlier been suspended to make way for a robust engagement with the Security Chiefs.

    Addressing newsmen after plenary, the chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi said the service chiefs were invited by the House to answer questions on their plans to nip in the bus rising cases of insecurity in the country.

    He said: “There has been no plenary day motions insecurity in parts of the country was not adopted. We wanted to know their plans and see how we can assist them in achieving their goals.

    “We are aware of how busy they are and that is why they have been given the option of coming next week to brief the House and answer questions.”

  • BREAKING: Security Chiefs shun sectoral debate with House of Reps

    BREAKING: Security Chiefs shun sectoral debate with House of Reps

    Security Chiefs in the country led by the Chief of Defence Staff on Thursday, November 16, shunned invitation from the House of Representatives to appear before it to engage in sectoral debate on issues of national importance.

    The House had scheduled to commence sectoral debate with issues of the security situation in the country on Thursday.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, General. Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and the Inspector General of Police, Kayide Egbetokun who invited for the debate all stayed away.

    They, however, sent representations who were rejected by the House on the ground that they are supposed to appear in person because of the issues involved.

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    Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who raised a point of constitutional order said section 88 and 89 of the constitution empowe the House to invite anybody to offer explanations on national issues.

    According to him, when invited, such persons are supposed to honour such invitation by se ding their Chief Executives to the parliament, because the parliament is a grade one institution.

    He said it has been the practice of the House over time not to accept representation from persons invited to brief parliament and answer questions from them.

    He however moved a motion asking the House to suspend the sectoral debate with the security chiefs until such a time when their Chief Executives will appear that brief the House has answer their questions.

    The position of the Deputy Speaker was unanimously supported by members who voted to suspend the debate.

    Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen asked the delegation to report back to their principals that the House will not take representation, while rescheduling ty debate with the Security Chiefs for Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

    The suspension of the debate however brought the day’s plenary to an end as all other business if the House had earlier been suspended to make way for a robust engagement with the Security Chiefs.

  • On the security chiefs

    A lot has been said about the security situation in Nigeria. Some have said the situation has worsened, some have also said the situation has improved. While it’s normal for divergent views on the security situation in Nigeria, one thing stands sacrosanct: the security chiefs have performed creditably well.

    There is a significant challenge that I have come to realize in this country. A situation where, for inexplicable reasons, hard work is not always appreciated, where people throw all manners of spanners in the wheels of progress; also, a situation where people cry wolf where none exist.

    I want to use the tenure of the current security chiefs in Nigeria as an example. I recall in 2015 when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed the security chiefs, he did state that he never knew any one of them personally, but relied on the track record in their careers.

    Most Nigerians didn’t believe it because it sounded strange and not the usual way of doing things in a country where one must have a godfather to be so appointed into a strategic or sensitive position of authority. But President Buhari changed the norm, and the nation was shocked.

    But today he has proved that his judgment was not in error.

    Make no mistakes. The present chiefs came on-board when Nigeria was on the brinks. There was the Boko Haram threat; there was also the Indigenous People of Biafra threat, the Niger Delta Avengers as well as that of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and other clandestine forces within and many being fuelled from outside just  too numerous to mention.

    That the Federal Capital Territory is now safe for all is a testament. That no local government in Nigeria is under the control of Boko Haram terrorist is also a testimony.  If these are not noteworthy, I don’t know what else to call it.

    We must be true to ourselves to know that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Yes, there might be pockets of security challenges here and there, but if we must admit, we have made substantial progress in ensuring that Nigeria is safe for all.

    And this brings me to the call in recent times about the suitability of President Buhari continuing with the present security chiefs in his new tenure.

    As a start, it is the prerogative of President Buhari to appoint those he feels he can work with. It is also the prerogative of the president to know those who have delivered in their national assignments.

    I, therefore, ask: what will be the problem if the security chiefs also make the president’s second term list for another four years? What is the difference between civilian appointments and military appointments? What does the constitution say about appointments?

    I stand to be corrected; it is only those with mischief that would want to impress on the president to change a winning team. But they forget that the president himself was once a member of the constituency and he knows what to expect from those handling the various services in the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    If we must admit, the past four years have witnessed the rebuilding of state institutions like the military that saw an unimaginable level of rot with the morale of its personnel at its lowest ebb. But can we say of that now? Your guess is as good as mine.

    If only we could realize the efforts made towards ensuring that the military institution recovers from the rot it was entangled in by past administrations. This much can be seen in the substantial gains recorded since 2015. Those that have refused to be on the side of the truth probably are basking in the prism of their selfish interest. Just maybe, it has not been business as usual for them, and as such there must be a change in leadership so that they can take advantage of the heist that reigned supreme in previous administrations.

    As a researcher, I can say that I know what has gone into making the military institution what it is today. I also know for a fact that the Nigerian military of today has experienced a transformation that has defied the odds. The odds that stated that Nigerian would disintegrate. The odds that posited that Boko Haram was going to overrun the country and establish caliphates. The odds that stated that the people of Zaria would not know peace under the threat of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. The odds that also predicted that the Niger Delta Avengers would cripple critical oil infrastructures and cripple the economy. But they were proved wrong.

    All of these didn’t happen by magic. But for the efforts of a group of people who have strived day and night for Nigeria to stay united.  These are no mean feat, and we must give kudos to those that have made significant contributions in service to the country — starting with Chief of Defence Staff and the service chiefs.

    Aside sentiments, I have always identified with the paradigm that that “you don’t fix it when it is not broken”; not in a sector as sensitive as the security architecture in the country.  I stand to be corrected, the bulk of Nigerians want the present crop of security chiefs to continue in office for as long as the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces so decide. This is not to say there are not others out there, but we must understand the peculiarities of our security challenges and why there is a need for consistency. But it remains the president’s prerogative, and no one should make any mistakes about that. If the president so decides, we must give him that support and understanding.

    In a similar light, the Customs has also not done badly in terms of revenue generation. This is another area where the president’s choice of appointment has also proven to be effective. Under the present arrangement, the Nigerian Customs Service has witnessed tremendous growth in terms of revenue generation, and Nigeria is better for it.

    We cannot deny these facts, and as such we should stop playing to the gallery on the efforts of the present administration towards ensuring that Nigeria is on the path to greatness through the quality of appointments in these critical sectors.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria is undergoing the same kind of healing. It is a historical fact today that Godwin Emefiele will be the first CBN Governor to be appointed back to back for a second term. This tells much about President Buhari building strong institutions for our country and never interested in playing politics with critical aspects of our national life. Those who mouth ethnic and religious sentiments in appointments went to bed at this point.

    I firmly believe that Nigeria is on the path of greatness. And those with a contrary opinion should provide us with facts and figures and not sentiments.

    • Prof Ome writes from University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

  • Security chiefs raise arms alarm

    Security chiefs yesterday raised the alarm over the alleged stockpiling of arms and ammunition by politicians ahead of next year’s general election.

    This is one of the highlights of the meeting of security chiefs with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

    The meeting was also told of the plan by some politicians to pressurise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through street demonstrations, which are capable of being hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants.

    Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali told reporters: “The meeting started by discussing the general overview of the security situation in the country as it relates to the conduct of the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    “It recommended deployment of security agencies to the states to enable elections to be conducted peacefully and to further douse the tension created by the outcome of the political parties primaries and some desperate persons to sabotage the electoral process.

    “The meeting also discussed attempts to put pressure on the electoral body by some notable personalities through demonstrations which was brought under control by combined efforts of security agencies to avoid being hijacked by hoodlums and armed bandits.

    “Another area of security concern includes postelection violence as desperate politicians may whip up ethno-religious sentiments to create security situation in the country.

    “Also of concern is the proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by some disgruntled elements with a desire to take laws into their hands at the slightest opportunity.

    “The Council called for the concerted effort of all security agencies to ensure that the 2019 elections are hitch-free and the need for continuous sensitisation of the public by National Orientation Agency and regular meetings of relevant stakeholders, including INEC, international/local observers and the media ahead of the elections.”

    Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris also told State House correspondents that all security agencies would be neutral and nonpartisan in their operations as they concern the general elections.

     

  • Buhari, security chiefs meet over 2019 elections

    *Raise alarm over stockpiling of arms by politicians

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday held meeting with heads of the National Security Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    At the end of the meeting, the security Chiefs have raised concerns over proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by politicians to cause mayhem ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The meeting also discussed what it termed as attempts by “notable personalities” to manipulate and put pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through street demonstrations that could be hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants.

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, in a statement he read after the meeting, said it was recommended that security agencies should deploy their personnel to states ahead of the polls and to douse the tension created by recent rancorous political party primaries.

    He said “The meeting started by discussing the general overview of the security situation in the country as it relates to the conduct of the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    “It recommended deployment of security agencies to the states to enable elections to be conducted peacefully and to further douse the tension created by the outcome of the political parties primaries and some desperate persons to sabotage the electoral process.

    “The meeting also discussed attempt to put pressure on electoral body by some notable personalities through demonstrations which was brought under control by combined efforts of security agencies to avoid being hijacked by hoodlums and armed bandits.

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    “Another area of security concern includes post election violence as desperate politicians may whip up ethno-religious sentiments to create security situation in the country.

    “Also of concern is the proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by some disgruntled elements with a desire to take laws into their hands at the slightest opportunity.

    “The Council called for the concerted effort of all security agencies to ensure that the 2019 elections are hitch-free and the need for continuous sensitization of the public by National Orientation Agency and regular meetings of relevant stakeholders, including INEC, international/local observers and the media ahead of the elections.”

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, also told State House correspondents that all security agencies would be neutral and nonpartisan in their operations as they concern the general elections.

  • Buhari orders security chiefs to step up anti-terror battle

    •Kwara police seize vehicle filled with knives

    •Yobe restricts movement as Adamawa cancels Sallah homage to traditional rulers

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday directed the security agencies to step up their battle to secure the country.

    He gave the directive during the Security Council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    The meeting was held amid reports of security  threats ahead of today’s Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

    Many states are taking steps to guarantee a hitch-free celebration.

    The Kwara State Police raised the alarm of a security threat, accusing politicians of planning to disrupt the peace. They claimed to have intercepted a vehicle-load of knives.

    The government of Yobe State announced a restriction of vehicles movement from 10pm last night till 10am today.

    In Adamawa, the government banned the homage to traditional rulers usually made during celebrations.

    Minister of Defence Mansur Dan Ali said the security situation in the Northeast “is worrisome”.

    He explained: “We have looked into it critically and we have taken absolute decision.”

    Apart from the minister, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gabriel Olonisakin attended the meeting alongside   National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno, Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff Ibok Ekwe Ibas and Chief of Air Staff Abubakar Sadique were also at the meeting.

    There were also National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General Ahmed Abubakar, Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris and Department for State Services Acting Director-General Matthew Seiyefa.

    Gen Olonisakin.told reporters that the security chiefs briefed the President on the security situation, adding:

    “We just had two and half hours meeting with the President and Commander-in-Chief. We reviewed the security situation across the country in all the geopolitical zones and, of course, we made all our comments, especially the new operations in Benue, Zamfara, Taraba Operation WISE Stroke, and Operation (Saradaji).

    “We gave the extent of successes in these operations and we are to continue in this line of action in these operations.

    “All the operations were reviewed and all the issues concerning the operations were dealt with. And he directed that we should continue to step up our game to ensure that the nation is safe and people go about their daily activities in a very safe manner.The minister added: “This is a normal routine security briefing with Mr President; he just came back, so we briefed him on all the activities we had while he was away. It is an update of the August 2 meeting.

    “The decision that has been taken is that we have seen that there is a lot of improvement in the security situation in the country, more especially in Zamfara and Benue states, and in the Niger Delta.

    The Adamawa Government cancelled its usual Sallah homage to traditional rulers and other stakeholders due to insecurity and emergencies created by flooding.

    Commissioner for Information Ahmad Sajo said: “After due consultation with the Chairman, Adamawa State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, the Adamawa State Government has directed that the usual Sallah homage be cancelled.

    “The cancellation was due to a number of reasons which included insecurity and the emergencies created by flooding which washed away a number of bridges and rendered many families homeless.”

    He however urged traditional rulers, prominent citizens and critical stakeholders in the state to use the Sallah period to sensitise the people on the importance of peace, unity and security.’’

    A statement by Director of Information and Press Affairs to the Yobe State Governor Abdullahi Bego said the restriction on vehicle movement would begin by 10.00pm on Monday through 10.00am today when all prayers have been concluded on Eid grounds.

    “This is to inform members of the public that following a security meeting he had with heads of security, intelligence and law enforcement in the state, His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has approved the placement of a 12-hour restriction on vehicular movement across the state as part of preparations for a peaceful and hitch-free Eid-el Kabir prayers tomorrow Tuesday 21st August 2018.

    “The restriction begins from 10.00pm tonight to 10.00am tomorrow(Tuesday).

    “The public is kindly advised that no vehicle will be allowed within or near Eid prayer grounds except those on special duties.”

    Kwara State Police Commissioner Aminu Saleh said in Ilorin: “Feelers have it that the Sallah will be disrupted. We want to inform you that we are looking and we are watching. We already identified three modes of dressing that we will look out for.

    “It was discovered that the plot is being coordinated by top politicians of the major political parties in the state. Checks also indicated that preparatory for the offensive, they have concluded to hire mercenaries from within and outside the state to meet at designated points.

    “We have intercepted a vehicle loaded with knives. I don’t know whether they needed these knives to come and slaughter rams in Ilorin.

    “I am sure every household has a knife to slaughter their animal. We don’t need fresh knives here. We don’t want to lose the life of anybody for the purpose of Sallah and Durbar celebrations.

    “We are sounding this note of warning for those of them who are bent on disrupting the celebrations. They must take this warning very seriously as we are not going to compromise any disruption of both celebrations.” Saleh also cautioned against hate speech.

     

  • Buhari, security chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with security chiefs.

    The meeting started around 10.30am at the President’s office.

    It is expected to discuss security challenges facing the nation.

    The meeting will be the last security meeting before President Buhari proceeds on 10-day working holiday on Friday.

    Read Also: Buhari to proceed on 10-day holiday in London

    It was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

     

  • Security chiefs to brief Senate

    National Security Adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno and  the Service Chiefs are to brief the Senate on how to halt arms proliferation.

    Also to brief the upper chamber are  Director- General, Department of State Services (DSS), Director- General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Comptroller Generai, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) .

    Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idirs is also invited.

    The resolution to invite the security chiefs followed the unanimous adoption of a motion, “Proliferation of dangerous firearms in Nigeria”, sponsored by Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North).

    Senators took turns to decry what they described as the reign of terror in parts of the country due to uncontrolled proliferation of firearms.

    The lawmakers warned that unless a drastic action was taken to halt the trend, the country would be the worse for it.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki noted that the briefing would enable the Senate articulate the way out of the problem.

    Hunkuyi, in his lead debate, noted that tribal, communal, religious, and other sectarian clashes; including the farmers/herders crises were more devastating due to wrongful and easy acquisition of firearms in violation of due process as laid down by the enabling laws and regulations .

    He said that the ugly trend had contributed to the colossal loss of lives and wanton destruction of property of Nigerian citizens.

    The Kaduna North lawmaker said that the situation  was attributable to the inability to control the proliferation of firearms within country “as well as negligence from the departments of government entrusted with the responsibility to control how individuals and corporate entities can acquire and maintain firearms in Nigeria, but particularly the free access by hoodlums to acquire firearms easily.”

    Hunkuyi was disturbed that online, electronic and print media carry chilling reports confirming the proliferation of firearms in Nigeria.

    He cited a report which said that the Inspector-General of Police, on the 24th February 2018, ordered a nation-wide mop- up of illegal firearms to sanitise the country and another report, which said that the Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State had ordered all indigenes to surrender firearms to embrace peace and yet another, which said that the Police Commissioner for Zamfara State had given directives to all residents to drop their firearms in the interest of peace.

    Hunkuyi said that there were similar reports, part of which was that the Inspector-General of Police ordered his officers and men to harvest arms in Bauchi, Imo, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Zamfara, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna and others.

    He was worried  that “despite the killings in Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara and other parts of Nigeria (which occurred within a spate of a short period of February to April 2018) and, of course, the Boko Haram mayhem in the North-East, coupled with the daily nationally spread in cases of sophisticated killings, deadly clashes, armed robberies, kidnappings, cattle rustling and other heinous crimes, where hitherto unavailable firearms are used, meaningful effort is not seen to be done on the part of the government to curtail the proliferation of firearms in Nigeria.”

    Hunkuyi lamented that “the situation has worsen to the extent that some opinion leaders are calling on Nigerians to stand up and protect themselves. This prodding at self-defence, if not checked through action by the government, would certainly get to the extent that firearm would be secured by every household either in the name of protection or for some other purposes”.

    He noted that from the observation of the United States experience, the prevailing scenario will not augur well for the country.

    Hunkuyi was worried that “the spate of unrest due to illegal proliferation of firearms has negatively impacted on economic and agricultural activities to the extent that due to fear of attacks, many law abiding citizens fear going to the market as well as  attending to their farms (this is Noma Haram; and very soon, we shall have Kasuwa Haram).”

    “The loss in the economy occasioned by this problem is better imagined,” he said.

    According to him, a closer look at the fallout of the incessant attacks by firearm bearing criminals would reveal the unprecedented devastation to the country’s economy and agriculture.

    He continued: “The well-known cattle and the peaceful herdsmen in parts of Zamfara, Kaduna and other areas are no longer there. Many of the guinea corn, millet, rice and yam producing areas of Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Benue now lie waste due to the murderous activities of gangs carrying illegally acquired firearms.”

    “Alarmed that if this situation is allowed to further deteriorate, unprecedented famine and diminishing economic output, as seen in nations plagued by war and crises, will pervade Nigeria. As the most populous country on the African continent, the nation’s GDP would certainly be affected adversely.

    “Regrets that the various departments of government entrusted with the responsibility of checking and regulating the influx of firearms into Nigeria have failed woefully in the discharge of this all important duty. The combined effect of sections 3 and 4 of the Firearms Act restricts the possession of firearms among persons. Section 3 of the Firearms Act specifically mentioned that no person should possess the category of firearms as seen with these heartless persons, unless that person is granted a licence by the President. Section 4 of the Act gave the Inspector-General of Police the power to issue license for people with less lethal firearms.

    “But one does not need to ask whether all the firearm bearing elements, ranging from kidnappers, armed robbers, armed herdsmen, cattle rustlers, cultists et al, got their licence from these appropriate quarters, because the answer is an emphatic no. Then the question goes to the effect that why the proliferation?”

    He noted that “by virtue of Section 24 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, the Nigerian Customs could be directed to prohibit the importation of any specified goods. Section 8 of the Act gives Customs the power of police officers in the discharge of their duties. By implication, it is also the responsibility of the Customs to ensure that no single firearm comes into the country without due authorisation. By its establishment Act, the Department of State Services Act is likewise empowered to detect and prevent any crime within Nigeria. What is obtainable on the whole is that the colossal system collapse of these organisations to live up to the minimum level of expectation in this regard is most glaring.”