The Nigerian Senate has moved to investigate the 661 pump-action rifles discovered and seized by the Nigeria Customs Service some weeks ago.
The upper house of legislature resolved to carry out the investigations following a motion moved by Senator Hope Uzodinma expressing worries over the proliferation of small arms in Nigeria.
Senate notes that the peace & security of the country is threatened with the influx of illegal Small Arms and Light weapons into the country.
Senate noted that Nigeria Fire Arms Act, does not permit anyone to possess ammunition without license from the President or the Inspector General of Police.
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Development reports that Nigeria has about 350million or 70% of N500m illegal arms.
Senates notes that failure to stop this ugly trend will encourage Kidnapping, Cultism, Cattle rustling, Boko Haram, Armed Robbery in the country
Senate therefore resolved to mandate the Senate Committee on Customs to examine all the processes involved in importation of goods and ascertain who does what and how, in the said process, including Cargo inspection, model and status of scanning equipment used.
It Investigate the recent incident of illegal Importation of 661 sophisticated weapons into the country, the December 2016 incident, the NAHCO incident and any other recent incident relating to illegal importation of arms into the country and identify the importers.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to promote inter agency synergy between security agencies in order to intensify safety in Nigeria’s land borders.
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