It is no longer news to all Nigerians that there is insecurity in the Land as a result of unprovoked bombings kidnapping razing down of rural communities with fire and sea piracy. These are common features of insecurity in Nigeria. The activities of Boko Haram are causing panic and panda monium in the Nigerian State. Boko Haram has defied every attempt by the Federal Government to halt its activities. It is heart breaking when one ponders on the evil activities of the sect to the Nigerian state. The emergence of Boko Haram since its inception has never been seen to be a good omen. But the level of its survival and operations in Nigeria is suspicious And this is worrisome because no sect survives in such a manner without foreign support.
Suicide bombings witnessed to day in the country was a toboo and grave abomination to the Nigerian society. What indeed has led to war on Nigerian State, is it to usurp political leadership or is it about religious liberation of the Nigerian state to a particular religion? There is fear in the land. The rate at which small arms flood the streets in Nigeria is unthinkable and unbelievable in this jet age of our existence.
Indeed, the bomb blast at Nyanya, Abuja was shocking and terrible. The bomb blast triggered unprecedented fears in the heart of Nigerians Few days later over 200 school girls were kidnapped in Chibok in Bomu state without rescue. It was also alleged that the sect dressed in military, camouflage uniform to carry out the in humane act. The attacks by the Fulani hardsmen are uncontrollable in some parts of the country.
Light ammunitions are used free without serious cheek by security agencies. The importation of ammunitions is under the strict super vision of the federal government and one wonders how criminal minded individuals use such weapons as toys in the streets of Nigerian state. Recently it was reportedly made public by the Nigerian Customs Services that there are over 1000 illegal borders into Nigeria. There is need to intensity effort in closing the unapproved borders that serve as easy access for smuggling of weapons.
The Nigerian Customs Services should as a matter of urgent national issue steam up their surveillance patrols at the border towns.
Goods and services entering the country should under go severe and uninterrupted scrutiny. Helicopter surveillance should be used at the border towns to check movement of people and smuggling of arms into the country. This is the high time for intensive community policing of the border towns that serve as hide out. Sophisticated weapons should be given to Nigeria custom services personnel for effective patrol of the boundaries With neighboring countries.
It is believed that boundaries with neighboring nations are porous and that has contributed to rampant smuggling of firearms into Nigeria.
The recruitment of Boko Haram members was made easy for foreigners as a result of porous borders. Today the activities of Boko Haram have been alleged to be championed by people from foreign nations. The evil and inhumane activities of Boko Haram are inimical to the co-operate existence of Nigeria.
Therefore, the immigration services as a matter of urgent insecurity issues should rise to its responsibilities of checking the influx of illegal immigrants into Nigeria. Some of the illegal immigrants have been observed to have joined Boko Haram to wreck havoc in Nigeria. The North/East unrest in Nigeria is no longer a child’s play where Nigerian government would adopt a hide and seek approach again. Boko Haram attacks have exposed Nigeria to the world in a negative way. Nigeria Immigration personnel should swing into action to cheek foreigners and their papers in the country. And those found wanting, should be repatriated to avoid further harms and attacks on the Nigerian state.
Indeed, the incessant attacks by Boko Haram on the Nigerian state is not fable but reality. There is need for fencing of the boundaries with Nigeria and neighbouning nations. Some of the North/East states have common boundaries with neighboring countries and this has caused serious insecurity threats in Nigeria. For instance, the sambisa forest has a link to neighboring country, which has made Boko Haram to escape with the kidnapped school girls with ease. If Nigeria must win this war against Boko Haram the border towns must be under serious security surveillance by all security agencies.
This is not time to blame any one but to sit up and quail the tide of insurgency in Nigeria. The borders of Nigeria must be tightened to avoid access for arms smugglers. Enough is. enough of unnecessary allegations of Boko Harem escape routes. Every illegal border should be closed or mount heavy presence of incorruptible security agents. It is time for all Nigerians to be at alert and join hands with the government to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria. God save Nigeria from insecurity. ###
FRANK ENEAWAJI OGWUONUONU
08028901682
