TheCitizen - It's all about you
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials
No Result
View All Result
TheCitizen - It's all about you
No Result
View All Result

Weaponisation of Nigeria – The Nation

The Citizen by The Citizen
December 12, 2017
in Public Affairs
A A
0
Clear salary order – Punch
22
SHARES
734
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Federal Government must halt the stockpiling of illegal arms 

President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to meet with governors of the nine oil-producing states over the build-up of arms in the area is a worrying reminder of Nigeria’s failure to deal with the virtual weaponisation of the country.

The meeting was a consequence of the staggering amount and variety of arms recovered from armed groups in Ajapa, Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The weapons were brought in response to the Ondo State government’s 21-day ultimatum to armed youths to surrender all arms in their possession.

Apart from the usual assortment of AK-47 assault rifles, there were Daewoo K3 light machine guns, Heckler & Koch MG4 light machine guns, in addition to General Purpose Machine Guns, pump-action shotguns and pistols, as well as ammunition. There were also grenades, dynamite, military uniforms and bullet-proof vests.

The fact that these were the arms caches of youth groups, as opposed to militants or professional criminals, is what makes the discovery so disturbing. Ajapa has garnered a growing notoriety as the operational base of these groups; the kidnappers of six students of Igbonla Model College, Epe, came from this area.

Bad as it is, however, the wide-ranging nature of the arms haul in Ondo State is only symptomatic of a larger problem. It is not the only place where weapons can be found in great quantities and put to anti-social use. The Niger Delta is awash with weapons, as is the South-East, the Middle Belt and the North-East.

The profusion of arms has facilitated sharp spikes in the number and intensity of inter-communal clashes, such as those between herdsmen and sedentary communities. It has turned kidnapping into a ubiquitous crime from which no Nigerian is safe. It has made armed robberies, assassinations and other assaults much more brazen than they used to be.

In other words, the proliferation of arms has become a nationwide problem which must be tackled on a national level, as opposed to the sub-regional consultations implied in the president’s meeting with governors of the oil-producing states.

One of the first places to start is the issue of how these weapons get into the country. The recent past has seen the interdiction of several consignments of arms at the nation’s ports. Greater effort must be utilised in ensuring that the importers, agents and customs officials involved in this crime are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If illegal arms are merely seized without prosecuting those involved, little will change.

Then there is the question of the arms-amnesty process itself. Governments encourage armed groups to turn their weapons in without prosecution, often in return for promises of cash and empowerment. Experience has shown that not all weapons are brought out, and that the cash, training and jobs promised are not sustained.

It is time to develop a formal structure for this process, incorporating the amounts to be paid, the range of training and employment opportunities to be provided, and the duration to which they will be on offer. What obtains at present is an arbitrary system that is too dependent on the whims of individual governments.

A formalised arms-amnesty arrangement will convince armed groups that governments are serious and offer them a viable way out of lives of crime. It will also reduce the temptation to go back to criminal activity as a result of frustration with broken promises.

A nationally-convened meeting on the illegal arms crisis is the most effective way to confront the issues and debate their likely solutions. Stakeholders will bring their peculiar issues to the table and have them evaluated in a national context. Ethnic and religious groups will be assured that their specific problems are not being ignored. Ultimately, the country will finally begin to get a grip on a phenomenon that threatens its continued peaceful existence.

Share9Tweet6
Previous Post

SSANU, call off this strike – Daily Trust

Next Post

Trump signs to send U.S astronauts back to Moon

Related Posts

Tension in Benue, Adamawa over Ortom, Fintiri’s fate
Public Affairs

Filling Supreme Court vacancies – Thisday

September 26, 2023
Inflation is deepening mass poverty – Punch
Public Affairs

Inflation is deepening mass poverty – Punch

September 26, 2023
Teachers in private schools – Thisday
Public Affairs

Teachers in private schools – Thisday

September 20, 2023
Reining-in boat mishaps in Nigeria – Vanguard
Public Affairs

Reining-in boat mishaps in Nigeria – Vanguard

September 20, 2023
Rising cultism menace should be crushed – Punch
Public Affairs

Rising cultism menace should be crushed – Punch

September 19, 2023
Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit needs attention – Punch
Public Affairs

Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit needs attention – Punch

September 18, 2023
Next Post
Trump signs to send U.S astronauts back to Moon

Trump signs to send U.S astronauts back to Moon

Mohammed Salah wins BBC African Footballer of the Year award

Mohammed Salah wins BBC African Footballer of the Year award

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FROM THE GRASSROOTS

Ondo senator appoints 100 PAs, awards N300k to each constituent

Ondo senator appoints 100 PAs, awards N300k to each constituent

by The Editor
September 20, 2023
0

...

Obasanjo laments insecurity on Nigeria roads, railways, airports

Yoruba Obas Forum insists on Obasanjo’s public apology

by The Editor
September 19, 2023
0

...

Cult clash: Sagamu LG imposes dusk-to-dawn curfew on motorcycle, tricycle operations

Cult clash: Sagamu LG imposes dusk-to-dawn curfew on motorcycle, tricycle operations

by The Editor
September 18, 2023
0

...

Rivers council boss bans commercial tricycle operations over insecurity

Rivers council boss bans commercial tricycle operations over insecurity

by The Editor
September 16, 2023
0

...

APPOINTMENTS

Biden appoints two Nigerians, Imasogie, Ogwumike as advisers

Biden appoints two Nigerians, Imasogie, Ogwumike as advisers

by The Editor
September 28, 2023
0

...

Tinubu nominates Cardoso as CBN Governor, names four deputies⁣

Cardoso assumes office as CBN confirms Emefiele’s resignation

by The Editor
September 22, 2023
0

...

Gov. Otti makes 14 new appointments

Gov. Otti makes 14 new appointments

by The Editor
September 20, 2023
0

...

Tinubu appoints Hakeem Baba-Ahmed as Special Adviser

Tinubu appoints Hakeem Baba-Ahmed as Special Adviser

by The Editor
September 18, 2023
0

...

ODDITIES

59-year-old man gets life imprisonment for raping two daughters

59-year-old man gets life imprisonment for raping two daughters

by The Editor
September 19, 2023
0

Guard allegedly impregnates three students in Anglican school

Guard allegedly impregnates three students in Anglican school

by The Editor
September 15, 2023
0

Gunmen attack Rivers TV, radio stations

Man kills father with pestle in Rivers State

by The Editor
September 8, 2023
0

State of the States

Sanwo-Olu issues traders two days ultimatum to vacate red line rail tracks

Sanwo-Olu issues traders two days ultimatum to vacate red line rail tracks

by The Editor
September 28, 2023
0

...

Taraba approves N85,000 allowance for corps members

Taraba approves N85,000 allowance for corps members

by The Editor
September 26, 2023
0

...

2023 presidency: Ogun Governor dumps Tinubu for Osinbajo

Gov. Abiodun directs payment of N1bn gratuity to pensioners

by The Editor
September 20, 2023
0

...

Subsidy: Delta governor approves palliatives for students

Subsidy: Delta governor approves palliatives for students

by The Editor
September 20, 2023
0

...

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

August 3, 2022
US govt reaches agreement with Niger junta, resumes drone aircraft, crewed aircraft operations

US govt reaches agreement with Niger junta, resumes drone aircraft, crewed aircraft operations

September 16, 2023
Coup: Russia warns ECOWAS, others against Niger intervention threats

Coup: Russia warns ECOWAS, others against Niger intervention threats

August 2, 2023
Fed Govt orders telcos to reverse hike in call, data rates

NCC sets record clear in alleged leakage of Obi-Oyedepo call

April 4, 2023

Air Peace begins operations, offers airfare to Armed Forces personnel

170

Diezani breaks silence, reveals side of story in 3-part exclusive interview

26

FG’s N4trn contractual debts under Jonathan – National Mirror

21

2015: Washington Post condemns Jonathan for campaign slogan

20
Guber elections: INEC expresses concerns over insecurity in Imo, Kogi

Guber elections: INEC expresses concerns over insecurity in Imo, Kogi

September 28, 2023
Leah Sharibu married off to ISWAP Commander after ‘divorcing’ first husband – Report

Leah Sharibu married off to ISWAP Commander after ‘divorcing’ first husband – Report

September 28, 2023
Biden appoints two Nigerians, Imasogie, Ogwumike as advisers

Biden appoints two Nigerians, Imasogie, Ogwumike as advisers

September 28, 2023
Sanwo-Olu issues traders two days ultimatum to vacate red line rail tracks

Sanwo-Olu issues traders two days ultimatum to vacate red line rail tracks

September 28, 2023

GLOBAL NEWS

Biden appoints two Nigerians, Imasogie, Ogwumike as advisers

Biden appoints two Nigerians, Imasogie, Ogwumike as advisers

by The Editor
September 28, 2023
0

...

Burundi President condemns coup rumours

Burundi President condemns coup rumours

by The Editor
September 26, 2023
0

...

Uproar trails proposal to lengthen Kenya president’s term

Uproar trails proposal to lengthen Kenya president’s term

by The Editor
September 26, 2023
0

...

Burkina Faso troops join raid on militants in Niger Republic

Burkina Faso troops join raid on militants in Niger Republic

by The Editor
September 26, 2023
0

...

France to withdraw troops, ambassador from Niger Republic

France to withdraw troops, ambassador from Niger Republic

by The Editor
September 25, 2023
0

...

EDITORIAL REVIEW

Tension in Benue, Adamawa over Ortom, Fintiri’s fate

Filling Supreme Court vacancies – Thisday

by The Editor
September 26, 2023
0

Inflation is deepening mass poverty – Punch

Inflation is deepening mass poverty – Punch

by The Editor
September 26, 2023
0

Teachers in private schools – Thisday

Teachers in private schools – Thisday

by The Editor
September 20, 2023
0

Reining-in boat mishaps in Nigeria – Vanguard

Reining-in boat mishaps in Nigeria – Vanguard

by The Editor
September 20, 2023
0

Rising cultism menace should be crushed – Punch

Rising cultism menace should be crushed – Punch

by The Editor
September 19, 2023
0

Opinion

Teacher’s Day Celebration: Tackling fundamentals of national educational system

Teacher’s Day Celebration: Tackling fundamentals of national educational system

by The Editor
September 27, 2023
0

...

Nigeria Immigration Service and hire purchase passports

Nigeria Immigration Service and hire purchase passports

by The Editor
September 5, 2023
0

...

Sudan crisis: Security threats and implications for Nigeria and beyond

Sudan crisis: Security threats and implications for Nigeria and beyond

by The Editor
August 30, 2023
0

...

Tinubu finds his own demons

Tinubu finds his own demons

by The Editor
August 3, 2023
0

...

  • UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

    UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

    129 shares
    Share 52 Tweet 32
  • US govt reaches agreement with Niger junta, resumes drone aircraft, crewed aircraft operations

    88 shares
    Share 35 Tweet 22
  • Coup: Russia warns ECOWAS, others against Niger intervention threats

    76 shares
    Share 30 Tweet 19
  • NCC sets record clear in alleged leakage of Obi-Oyedepo call

    67 shares
    Share 27 Tweet 17
  • Shake-up in army

    62 shares
    Share 25 Tweet 16
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials

© 2022 TheCitizen Ng. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials

© 2022 TheCitizen Ng. All Rights Reserved.