By Julius Fasina
Security is a factor that any nation needs to prioritize. In fact, the security of any nation is very paramount to the extent that it is also a determining factor in the growth and shrink of any nation’s economy. Nigeria’s insecurity is confronted by different challenges. These challenges are more threats to the economy of this country. In fact, they mar than make the development of the economy. It is important to state that the issue of insecurity in Nigeria has been corroborated or aided by two factors – external and internal factors. The external factors are threats from outside the neighbouring countries that is seen as a propellant or contributing factor to Nigeria’s economy. These external factors that are threats are evidently seen from the importation of fire arms and ammunition, smuggling and illegal migration to the country. However, these aforementioned factors from the external perspective are factors that are needed to be taking serious in other to combat insecurity issues in this country. On the other hand, is the internal factors. These factors are evidently seen from tribal differences, insurgencies to mention but a few.
The issue of insecurity in Nigeria is a perennial problem, so to say, a perennial discourse. The previous administration of Muhammadu Buhari closed land borders bordering on two things – the growth of national economy and the national security. Albeit, some of the land borders have been opened by the previous administration. In spite of the fact that these policies and measures put in place to combat smuggling and insecurity in the land, it still persists. In fact, the security agencies are working tirelessly and effortlessly to impound fire arms imported through the land borders from the neighbouring countries. However, there are questions begging for answers pertaining to the growth and shrink of the Nigeria’s economy. Can smuggling be combated? If yes, what are measures in which the government of the day has put in place to eradicate this? Do the government considers the border communities sharing borders with the neighbouring countries in terms of development, growth, and with every sense of belonging? These questions are truly needed to be answered with a sense of fairness.
The border communities play pivotal roles on how far Nigeria’s economy develops and how far the insecurity issues can be combated. It is undeniably that the fire arms and ammunition, harmful drugs and all forms economic sabotage are carried out through these communities. It shows how influential these communities are positively and otherwise. Economic activities have been crumbled in these communities as a result of fight or clamour against smuggling and economic sabotage. Can this fight against smuggling and all sort of economic sabotage be truly and adequately overcome without putting in place stringent policies and strategic measures in place that will favour the communities in particular and the government and the nation at large?
While the economic activities of these communities have been paralyzed, some of the residents now see smuggling and importation of foreign goods as a means of livelihood and sustainability. It is crucial to note however, that without putting these communities and residents into consideration, the issue of smuggling cum economic sabotaging and insecurity cannot be easily combated. For they play important role in making or marring the economic growth and restoring security architecture of the nation. In the sense that, some the residents see smuggling as means to end. In other words, they now see smuggling as alternatives to survive in these areas.
For a quick recovery in the nation’s security and economy, policies and strict strategic measures needed to be put in place. The present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs to as a matter of urgency, put in place strategic measures that will aid the economy from going into shambles. As a matter of fact, these border communities are begging for growth and developments.
Convincingly, if these communities start to experience the impact of the administration in terms of development and growth, things will certainly turn around for good.
For every problem there is always a solution. As reiterated earlier, the stringent policies and strategic measures needed to be put in place so as for their efforts against smuggling and insecurity be seen. To begin with, the hands of fellowship and a sense of inclusiveness is needed to be employed by the government. This can be done through the recognitions of non-state actors and different NGOs. These organizations exist in different border communities.
There is a need for the federal government to identify with and bring into round table so as for the fight against insecurity and economic deprivation can be combated most especially through the border communities. As such, this issue if not eradicated would be minimized to the barest minimum. Over the years and recently, the security agencies in an attempt to exhibit what they are known for, in going after the economic saboteurs and fight against smuggling, have killed many innocent residents in these border communities.
These non-state actors and organizations would help in identifying these economic saboteurs. In fact, they cannot be underestimated. The good representatives of these communities both at the red and green chambers respectively have made these issues of innocent killings known every now and then. An instance of this was when Senator Adeola Olamilekan made it known at the plenary session recently when he reiterated on the issue of innocent killings in Ogun West and its environs.
The truth about these measures are not farfetched. The border communities have been marginalized for so long. It is of no doubt that this marginalization reflects on the issues at hand. In fact, the marginalization is a true picture of reality that is embedded in the issue of national security and the economic deprivation.
To curb this, there is a need for the government to deconstruct the members in various Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) that looks after the wellbeing and development of border communities. Most of the communities lag behind infrastructurally and economically. When the communities are infrastructurally developed and the indigenes cum residents are positioned for employability and empowerment, the issue of smuggling and threat to national economy would be minimised to the barest minimum if not eradicated. When these communities are governed accordingly, the threats these communities impose through economic sabotage and importation of illegal products would be discontinued through a gradual process.
Most importantly, the indigenes of these various communities are needed to part of the decision-making process. Here, the government should deem it fit to employ indigents from these communities into federal agencies that concerns itself with societal and community affairs. This alone would aid the threats imposed on the growth of national economy and also shaped for good the security architecture of the nation. It is worthy to note that some of the residents are aiders of the smuggled products. When the hands of fellowship are extended to all and sundry in the border communities, the clamour for insecurity and growth in the economy would become history. It is imperative to note that if these measures are not put into workability, the efforts of the security agencies and the government would be so oblivious.
