The Prelate Methodist Church of Nigeria S.C. Uche has raised the alarm over the porous nature of Nigerian borders, particularly those in the northern part of the country as a major cause of insecurity in Nigeria.
The prelate, who was in Enugu on his apostolic tour of the south east, called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, check all the movements of non-Nigerians in and out of borders in the north.
He alleged that most of the bandits are people who smuggled themselves into the country through the porous borders.
He further challenged the military and police to look inwards and find out from where the bandits are getting the guns which they use for their operations in the country.
According to the Prelate, “the guns used by these bandits are highly sophisticated, that those poor people on their own could not buy them which gives room for suspicion. He called on security stakeholders to kindly explain to Nigerians where the bandits and kidnapers are getting the guns from.
“The weapons used by them show that they are being sponsored by some highly place persons in the society. From where do those poor people get the money to buy such guns, they are poor and cannot have money to buy the guns.”
According to Uche, Nigerian military should try and copy from the security arrangement of Israel. “Every soldier should not be carrying gun; information is the most important thing, for solders to perform effectively, that is why Boko Haram can attack Army barracks,” he said.
The prelate, who called for proper equipment of local vigilantes, also advocated for state police, which he said are in a better position to checkmate all the killings by those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and bandits rearing their ugly heads in the South East. He however, commended Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his proactive reactions to the recent security challenges in the state.
He also emphasised that the country needed a lot of prayers this time around for divine intervention.
Regis Anukwuoji, Enugu
