Security Expert Urges Tinubu to Strengthen Border Control Against Arms Smuggling

Security Expert Urges Tinubu to Strengthen Border Control Against Arms Smuggling

Abuja, Nigeria – Amid rising concerns over the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria, a security consultant and former advisor to the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, High Chief Darlinghtyn Momoh Umoru, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action in tackling illegal arms trafficking.

Speaking to the press, Umoru called on the President to direct the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adeniyi Bashir, to relocate his office to the country’s land borders. This, he argued, would enhance surveillance and enforcement efforts to curb the illicit inflow of weapons fueling insecurity.

Land Borders: A Gateway for Illicit Weapons

Umoru emphasized that research and intelligence reports have shown that non-state actors, including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandits, acquire a significant portion of their weapons through Nigeria’s porous land borders. While commending the Nigerian military for its efforts in combating insurgency, he stressed the need for other security agencies, particularly the Customs Service, to step up intelligence and enforcement operations.

"One of the core responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service is to regulate the movement of goods across the country’s borders. This includes stopping the illegal smuggling of arms and ammunition, which pose a major threat to national security," Umoru stated.

Call for Stronger Collaboration Among Security Agencies

The security expert urged the federal government to enhance inter-agency collaboration, ensuring that Customs, immigration, and intelligence units work together to close loopholes exploited by arms smugglers. He also called for the deployment of advanced surveillance technology, stricter border patrols, and increased manpower to reinforce security along Nigeria’s borders.

As insecurity continues to challenge national stability, Umoru’s call for a proactive approach to border security highlights the urgency of strengthening Nigeria’s defenses against arms smuggling and organized crime.