Group calls for total closure of land borders to tackle insecurity, smuggling

Amid growing insecurity across land borders in the country, stakeholders in import and export business have attributed the porous land border as the cause of the influx of small arms and ammunition into the country.

The group, under the umbrella body of Concerned Nigerians in a statement signed by its coordinator, Mr Alabi Adesola, on Tuesday also condemned the activities of some officers of the Nigerian Customs at land borders, alleging that they are saboteurs of the nation’s economy and her security apparatus.

Adesola argued that through the single act of floating of the Naira by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, legit businessmen are given the confidence to engage in importation businesses.

He however called for the total closure of land borders, noting that this will effectively tackle the challenges of illegal importation and exportation and also increase the country’s revenue.

Commenting on the significance of the policy, he said, “This policy would have greatly benefited the government and the economy of the country by far but some economic saboteurs and terrorists operating under the guise of traders have illegally imported goods and also engage in gun running which may lead to influx of arms due to the porous nature of our borders.

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The total closure of land borders for importation and exportation will effectively tackle this crisis and also increase the annual import revenue by about eight hundred billion naira to one trillion naira.

This type of money in the hands of illegal traders/terrorist group will greatly cause havoc to the progress of the country and the renewed hope agenda of the president.

If this is efficiently addressed by channeling importing goods through sea borders, this will directly or indirectly provide legitimate jobs for more than hundred thousand people to the credit of this administration. The effect of this will be prosperity and improved security for the nation.”

Adesola also condemned some of the custom officers that compromised the security by enabling smuggling, which according to him, undermines the nation’s economy, businesses and citizens well-being.

“We strongly condemn the compromised activities of Nigerian Customs at land borders, enabling rampant smuggling. This undermines our economy, businesses, and citizens’ well-being.

“The influx of imports cargo like rice, vegetable oil, sugar, and edible products, milk, tomatoes paste, margarine pose health risks due to potential fake or expired goods. Smuggling also unfairly competes with legitimate businesses, threatening livelihoods and tax revenue.

Concerns about potential arms movements and illicit activities through porous borders further exacerbate the issue. Today our markets all over the country are filled with foreign imported products that are illegally imported through our land borders.

“This will greatly make Naira appreciate against CFA, this administration should not allow sentiments and nepotism to cripple her economy and security to the point that the nation will be at the mercies of the alleged bad customs officials and smugglers/terrorists. This porous land border can ignorantly cause the influx of ammunition into the country

Based on our recent research and investigation covering two major imported product we found some of the following products imported into Nigeria without due diligence under mining the Nigerian import guidelines and collection of Duty and taxes,” he added.