By Ajibola Adedoye
There is need for regular workshops and sensitization programs highlighting the dangers inherent in arms smuggling and other related offences because this will discourage future involvement in the criminal act in the long run.
Kayode Olufemi, member of Association Of Nigeria Licensed Custom Agent, ANLCA, Murtala Muhammed Airport Chapter, made this statement on Saturday while delivering his speech at the 23rd Anniversary of Maritime Watch Newspaper in Ikeja Lagos.
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Olufemi while speaking on behalf of Salu Olukunle Ibrahim, as the Chairman of the occasion noted that “when you keep doing that it begins to improve people’s knowledge and understanding of the danger of doing what they’re doing, such programs will create more awareness because some are into it for different reasons, so enlightenment program influence them positively to want to have a rethink and a change of attitude.
“Also when people are doing the right thing, they should be encouraged so as to serve as a form of motivation for others, which can make them want to emulate such” he noted.
Talking about the unscrupulous elements in the society, Olufemi opined that “there is no way we can stop or curb the menace completely, you keep putting in more efforts, that is the essence of risk assessment, when you have risk assessment in place, you keep developing your approach by putting in more measures.
“I must admit that Nigeria borders are more secure now than what we have in the past.
There are more collaborations now especially between Customs and other sister agencies, even from the natives.
What the Customs Comptroller General is doing now is very commendable, take for for instance, our border communities here in Nigeria, talking with the natives of the communities, the traditional rulers and ensuring that we are both on the same page because security is everybody’s business. It’s all our business to secure the nation. And so you we can’t leave it just for the. Customs. We also have to be part of it. And they’re doing a lot of sensitization to ensure that we keep working together in collaborations, so when you see something, you say something and that goes a long way to prevent arms and ammonition. And the government is also through the Nigerian Customs Service is also doing a lot to ensure that security is top notch around the border.
“Also thank God for technology of today. You hardly bring in things that will not be scanned now, and when they are being scanned, they are detected. So I mean technological development and proactive nature of all stakeholders is providing better results in this regard.
“If a 20 year old man is holding a loaded rifle, he can humble a 90 year old man because there is nobody you point a gun at and the person will not freak out, this is part of the dangers arms smuggling does, so it is also important that all hands are on deck to ensuring that we curb this menace in the society, so that we can all have a better and secured society to live in” he maintained.
Highpoint of the event includes presentation of awards to distinguished Customs Officers including Comptroller H.K Ejibunu, CSC Adekunle, AC Madugu, DC Atuluku among others.
The Maritime Watch 23rd Anniversary/Conferment of Award is themed “Arms Smuggling and the Security Challenge in Nigeria: The Role of Nigeria Customs Service”.
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