Headlines
Insurgency: Nigeria spends N124 billion to buy weapons in four years– NBS

The Eyewitness reporter
Although the report did not state which agency imported the arms and ammunition, the said data for the report is from the Nigerian Customs Service through the Integrated Customs Information System, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, various companies in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria, Angila International Limited, Neroli Technologies Limited, Gojopal Nigeria Limited, Carmine Assayer Limited, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Ports Authority among others.
Also contained in the report was the importation of arms and ammunition in 2018.
In 2018, N1.946bn worth of arms and ammunition were imported into the country, while in 2019, N12.773bn was spent on the importation of arms and ammunition.
For 2020, N29.236bn worth of arms was imported.
This amounts to a total of N124.82bn since 2018.
Before now, there had been debate over whether to begin the manufacturing of weapons in the country to reduce the cost of importation.
Last year, at a ministerial retreat, President Muhammadu Buhari , promised that the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria would be resuscitated to produce weapons locally.
A security expert, Oladele Fajana, believed that since the nation has been unable to produce, importing is the next option.
He said, “It is good if we can produce our weapons ourselves. Even if we import, we won’t solely be depending on foreign countries for our weapons.
“I have seen some equipment produced by DICON; they are trying; they need to be encouraged and well-funded.
“However, the funds required to revive that company are greater than the funds spent on the importation of these weapons, but we have no choice but to import.”
Headlines
Aftermath of Adeyanju’s exit, crisis resurfaces in MWUN

Headlines
NIMASA embarks on digital revolution to plug revenue leakages, enhance optimum operations

— spurns smear campaign against the process
“To set the records straight, following a comprehensive internal review of operational systems, the current leadership of NIMASA resolved to embrace technology as a means of enhancing the Agency’s capacity to deliver on its regulatory mandate more effectively and to bring into the coffers of government additional revenue ensure funds due government does not end up in private hands.
“A pivotal innovation in this regard is the Maritime Enhanced Monitoring System (MEMS).
“The additional recipients targeted are, waste reception services, a routine operation for both domestic and international vessels have traditionally lacked proper tracking, resulting in unmonitored activities and significant revenue losses.
“Marine pollution control, another critical area of NIMASA’s mandate, has similarly been constrained by limited digital tools. In the absence of satellite tracking and automated reporting, pollution events often go unnoticed or are reported too late to mitigate their impact.
“It is important to emphasize that past revenue shortfalls experienced by the Agency mainly stemmed from outdated manual processes, fragmented data systems, and insufficient digital enforcement mechanisms which allowed some external elements to capitalize on the loopholes for personal gains .
“The current reforms being implemented by NIMASA are focused squarely on overcoming these limitations.
“The public is therefore advised to disregard the misleading reports and instead support NIMASA’s transformation journey as it aligns with the broader national objectives of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“The Agency remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime governance, ensuring environmental safety, and optimizing revenue for the nation.
“It is worthy of note that the Deep Blue Project of the Agency which now enjoys global recognition also witnessed such resistance at the initial stage” the agency noted.
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