"How al-Qaeda, Boko Haram smuggle arms into Nigeria"
http://www.osundefender.org/?p=100537
A picture taken from a video distributed to journalists in recent days
through intermediaries and obtained by AFP on March 5, 2013 reportedly shows
Abubakar Shekau (C), the suspected leader of Nigerian Islamist extremist
group Boko Haram, flanked by six armed and hooded fighters in an undisclosed
place.
Proliferation of small arms and light weapons is increasingly and
dangerously becoming a transnational organized crime in Nigeria with Boko
Haram's insurgency, re-emerging Niger Delta crisis and escalating
kidnapping, communal crises and armed robbery in the South East providing
impetus for arms trafficking. Some border towns, particularly in the North
Eastern flank, serve as a hub for trafficking of arms as well as stolen
goods, drugs and hostages by criminals, terrorists and their collaborators.
The recent kidnap of a French family at a border town between Nigeria and
Cameroon is an example. Similarly, many arms and ammunition of various
types, sizes and calibre have been intercepted and confiscated by security
agencies. The recurrent detection and recovery of cache of arms, ammunition
and Improvised Explosive Device Materials by the Joint Task Force, JTF,
further buttresses the point. Similarly, the occasional recovery of stolen
goods and hard drugs from criminals and terrorists' camps or hideouts is an
indication that the illicit trade has been on the rise in recent times.
Of concern is the discovery that despite the efforts of security agencies,
the "merchants of death" continue to engage in arms trafficking/ trading
through covert means largely aided and abetted by the porous nature of the
Nigerian borders with Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Recently, the Comptroller
General of Nigerian Immigration Services stated that the Service had
discovered hundreds of illegal routes in Nigeria that link or lead to some
neighbouring African countries.
Nigeria's borders are massive with hundreds of footpaths crisscrossing to
neighboring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger with links to Mali, Libya
and Sudan. From conservative estimate by locals, there are well over 250
footpaths from Damaturu/Maiduguri axis that link or lead direct to Cameroon,
Chad or Niger. These paths, which are mostly unknown to security agencies,
are unmanned, unprotected and have continued to serve as conveyor belts for
arms and ammunitions trafficking into Nigeria.
It is disheartening and unfortunate that the "merchants of death" have since
devised methods to beat security agencies at the borders, chief among them,
through the footpaths. These methods include the use of camels, donkeys and
cows to traffic arms, ammunition and drugs such as cocaine into Nigeria. The
fact that the weapons are small, light and collapsible makes it easy to be
concealed and moved on camels and donkeys' back in a specially crafted skin
or thatched bags mainly meant for the illegal "expedition" undetected.
Similarly, some cows and grains merchants in the North- East sub - region of
the country device means of hiding cache of arms and ammunition in empty
fuel tankers, vehicle engines and bags of grains.
The "grains" are transported in large number via trucks, trailers, lorries
and old model pickup vans and jeeps with little attention given to them by
security agents. The use of Jega type of tricycles ( KEKE-NAPEP) as well as
camels, donkeys, and cows (moving in flocks) to deceive, hide and
conveniently traffic arms in some parts of the North are ways hitherto
unknown, not well exposed or documented. Their capacity for arms trafficking
is beginning to be uncovered and is being curtailed by security agencies.
The security situation in the JTF Operation RESTORE ORDER area of
responsibility forced the task force to take on additional responsibility to
trace sources of arms and ammunition to Boko Haram insurgents, how the arms
are trafficked and are also taking measures to block them. This is one way
of effectively checkmating terrorism in Nigeria - destroy its centre of
gravity! And this seems to be a task that has so far proved difficult but
necessary to be accomplished if the war against insurgency is to be
effective and successful.
Similarly, the Libyan and Malian rebels are desperate to exchange arms for
money to Boko Haram terrorists, their financiers and collaborators as the
sect has since been affiliated to Al-Qaida in the Maghreb. This has added to
the overwhelming challenge of the influx of illegal aliens, arms,
ammunitions and sophisticated IED materials into the country and an
efficient and effective fight against terrorism. Additionally, the water
ways/ seaports provide havens for arms trafficking through ships and speed
boats on high seas and the use of canoes in the creeks. The exchange of
stolen crude oil for arms/ ammunition is a well known "trading activity"
nurtured and ferociously protected by militants or sea pirates and their
financiers and collaborators with the possible connivance of unscrupulous
law enforcement agents in the Niger Delta. This is one major source of arms
and ammunition that strengthens militants' arms and ammunition holding not
only in the Niger Delta but also in the South East and South Western parts
of the country.
Security agencies at the borders and seaports have severally complained of
the porosity of the nation's borders and waterways. The problem of porous
borders is compounded by inadequate personnel, patrol vehicles, surveillance
helicopters and equipment. Consequently, most of the borders are leaky and
this makes effective control of intruders, smugglers and "merchants of
death" a mirage. The vastness of the nation's borders in the face of these
challenges bring to the fore the need for a rethink on the management and
security of the Nigeria's borders and seaports - without which effective
fight against insurgency, arms trafficking and proliferation will remain an
optical illusion. There must be innovative technology; sound policies,
proficient process that will help protect our borders. It is worrisome that
the exact number of illegal routes and means through which illegal aliens,
arms and ammunition are trafficked into the country are largely unknown by
the nation's security system.
The use of innovative technology - radars and alarm systems- are major ways
developed countries utilize to monitor and secure their borders. Some radars
can be used as primary detection sensor for long range remote surveillance
platforms. The ability to detect slow moving targets, even in complex
mountainous, thickly forested terrains and large open areas make some radars
such us Blighter Radar ideal for remote surveillance and detection of
vehicles and people trying to cross borders illegally.
In remote areas, it is common for intruders to follow natural routes across
the land, valleys, mountain paths or animal tracks. In these instances,
Mobile Surveillance System provides a cost effective way of monitoring key
areas with limited resources. Similarly, Blighter Radar, unlike traditional
Air Surveillance Radar, can effectively survey both the land and low air
zone simultaneously.
Correspondingly, the fundamental problem of border security, arms
trafficking, efficient and effective fight against terrorism in Nigeria can
be linked to what Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi tersely identified as institutional
fragmentation, intelligence and policy non-coordination among the security
agencies. These challenges are real and must be addressed for the fight
against terrorism, arms proliferation and border security to be effective.
* Musa, a lieutenant colonel in Nigerian Army, is the spokesperson for
Operation Restore Order, Maiduguri, Borno State
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