The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Ogun State have asked the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to reopen land borders without further ado.
NANS said the closure of land borders by the Buhari government for almost two years had exceeded its relevance.
The student’s body regretted that the negative effects of the closure were showing in the economy and living conditions of Ogun residents.
A statement by the Chairman of NANS in the state, Damilola Simeon, explained that the increase in smuggling activities in the Gateway State could be traced to the border closure.
“We urge the Federal Government to reconsider the closure of Ogun State land borders. The closure has exceeded its relevance and the negative effects are showing in the economy and living conditions of the good people of Ogun State.
“As a matter of fact, the increase in smuggling activities is traceable to the extended border closure as legitimate truck loaders and other border workers now resort to illegal dealings,” it was said.
NANS and other student unions in Ogun State had met with the Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, Peter Kolo, on September 6 over claims of illegal arms importation through Ogun borders.
Kolo was said to have emphasised that neither he nor his officers were aiding smuggling as alleged by the students.
At the meeting, the students had demanded effective policing of the illegal routes that serve as the major outlets for gun-running and other contrabands as well as clamping down on smuggling activities in the area.
“At the end of the meeting, we concluded that the Nigerian Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command has been assiduous in carrying out their duties.
“The agency has, however, been grossly incapacitated by different challenges and remonstrance, including insufficient human and vehicular resources.
“These challenges, if left to continue, could cripple the activities of the Customs and expose our borders to untold hardship.
“We also demand that more patrol vehicles be provided for the command. We found out that the Command has less than ten patrol vehicles for their operations. This is ridiculous, to say the least.
“Finally, we urge the Federal Government to liaise with the State Comptroller in order to receive and attend to more fundamental problems of the agency,” the statement reads in part.
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