By; Imrana Abdullahi
The 1st regional Vice President of West African Action Network on small arms (WAANSA) Mr. Martin Igwe has called on Nigerians to support the Nigerian Custom Service under the leadership of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in their fight against proliferation of small arms in Nigeria.
In a press statement signed by Igwe Martin, Regional 1st Vice President West Africa Action Network on Small arms (WAANSA), and made available to news men revealed that
“Returning from International Conference on Border Studies in FEZ Morocco, Considering the relevance of Nigerian Custom Service towards Regional development, that is why we are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly Leadership and all Nigerians to support the Nigerian Custom Service for a job well done”.
The statement said “Promoting the renewed commitment in the International Trade facilitations and continuous protection of our borders can energize their desire to meet up with their targeted annual revenue which have the capacity to turn around development in other sector of the economy, which they have been doing long before now all with the contribution of the present controller general Bashir Adewale Adeniyi”.
The statement further reads “it is very important to mobilize more funds for Custom Operation, strengthen their capacity through training with the latest technology in line with best global practices”.
The statement pointed out that It remains disturbing to note that about 1,500 land border crossing into Nigeria only 114 covering only 4,000 Square kilometers had approved control post with a coastline of 774 Km which are largely unmarred.
“These are the areas criminal elements exploit to unleash crime to innocent Nigerians”.
“The support for Nigeria Custom Service will not only safeguard the country but activate opportunities for more revenue and genuine economic activities in our border communities as it is, in other parts of the world. That is why Waansa will continue to mobilize civil societies to support Nigerian Custom Service as it remains an indirect act to reduce the menace of infiltration of small arms and light weapons and sustain regional peace and development”.
“Existing channels of communication will be expanded, feedbacks on strategies to advance the course of border security and other visions of Nigerian Custom Service will be recommended for necessary policy action as our demonstration of support now and always”, the statement added.
