Breaking News: Acording to channelstv.com Nigeria Extends Border Closure Till January 2020
The Federal Government has extended the duration of the
ongoing ‘Exercise Swift Response’ across the nation’s borders till next
year.
President Muhammadu Buhari approved the extension of the exercise until January 31, 2020.
Nigeria
had closed all land borders with neighboring countries in October,
following an earlier closure of its borders with its western neighbour,
the Republic of Benin in August.
Channels Television obtained an official memo signed by the Comptroller (Enforcement) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Victor Dimka.
The
memo was dated November 1, 2019, and addressed to the Sector
Coordinators of the Joint Border Operation Drill – Sectors 1, 2, 3, and
4.
Dimka
noted that the exercise has recorded “overwhelming success,”
considering its benefits to the nation’s economy and security.
He,
however, said the Customs have observed that a few strategic objectives
have yet to be achieved, necessitating the extension.
The memo read:
I
am directed to inform you that it is observed that despite the
overwhelming success of the operation, particularly the security and
economic benefits to the nation, a few strategic objectives are yet to
be achieved.
Against this background, Mr President has approved an extension of the exercise to January 31, 2020.
Consequently, you are requested to convey the development to all personnel for their awareness and guidance.
Meanwhile,
allowances for personnel sustenance and fuelling of vehicles for the
period of extension will be paid as soon as possible.
This is for your information and necessary action, please.
The
exercise is being conducted by the Customs in collaboration with
operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other security
agencies.
In an interview with Channels Television in August, the Comptroller-General of NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede, had said, “There is no border closure but there was a border drill and there was an announcement from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).”
Two days later, President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed that there was a partial closure of Nigeria’s borders with the Benin Republic when he met with the country’s President, Patrice Talon, in Japan.
He attributed the development to the massive smuggling activities that have taken place on that corridor.
President
Buhari said Nigeria has saved huge sums of money which would otherwise
have been expended on importing rice using the nation’s scarce foreign
reserves.
On October 14, the Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd), announced that Nigeria has saved N1.4 billion naira since the exercise commenced.
He also revealed that a total of 317 suspected smugglers and 146 illegal migrants were arrested during the period.
The
Customs boss was happy that the border closure was yielding the desired
results as the nation’s consumption of petroleum products had dropped
by 10.2 million litres.
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