Three weeks into the intensive joint border patrol by the security agencies, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has announced massive seizures and arrests from the 4 sectors of North West, North Central, South West, and South South geopolitical zones.
Seizures and arrests made so far include 100 illegal migrants, 8,360-50kg bags of parboiled rice; 122 bags of fertilizer; 77 vehicles; 781 drums of PMS as well as 16, 371 200 litres empty drums, 1,491 packs of assorted drugs; 3 outboard 40HP Engines; 13 cotonu boats; 185 drums of groundnut oil; 6 trucks; 114 motorcycles; among other items with 117 suspects.
As part of the efforts to sustain the border patrol along the national borderlines, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), Comptroller General of Immigration, Mohammed Babandade and the Coordinator of the exercise, Brig Gen Emmanuel Aliyu Ndagi have commenced an on the spot assessment of the implementation and compliance of the ongoing border security drills.
The exercise, which is being led by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) as well as the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security and intelligence agencies is intended to secure our borders, boost national economy and strengthen border security.
In a statement signed by Joseph Attah, spokesman of the Nigeria Customs Service appealed to patriotic Nigerians, especially members of the business community to see the ongoing exercise as an opportunity to further create a conducive environment for local businesses to thrive in the overall interest of our national security and development.