Smugglers Operations and the Misuse of Firearms by Nigeria Customs Officials in Idiroko Border, Ogun State: The Socio-Political and Economic Implications

The incessant confronts of smuggling and firearm misuse contribute to a pervasive climate of insecurity, undermining local communities’ trust in law enforcement and the government. This study explores the operations of smugglers and the misuse of firearms by Nigeria Customs officials at the Idiroko border area of Ogun State. The study validates the claims of firearms misuse among customs officials in the study area. It also examined the causes of firearm misuse, the socio-political and economic implications and the efforts of the Nigerian government in addressing this menace. This study is predicated on the Situational Crime Prevention Theory. This mixed method of research of the qualitative and quantitative techniques was adopted, utilizing the exploratory research design. The quantitative data was subjected to statistical analysis, using measure of central tendency of; Average Weighted Response (AWR). While the qualitative aspect was analysed based on content. The study validates the claims of firearms misuse in the study area. The causes of firearm misuse among Custom officials were identified to include; lack of accountability mechanisms within the Custom service, lack of capacity training, corruption and poor welfare incentives for the personnel. The study also concludes that the Nigerian government has demonstrated little commitment towards curtailing the misuse of firearms among Custom officials. The study therefore proposes comprehensive reforms to address these challenges, including the enhancement of customs welfare services, capacity building for officials, and the implementation of robust accountability mechanisms.