Joy Anyim
Contraband items valued over N11 billion have been seized by operatives in the ongoing joint border drill, code-named ‘Exercise Swift Response’.
According to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), the exercise, which started a year ago, has also led to the arrest of 622 suspected smugglers and 1,243, irregular immigrants.
While starring that 134,042 bags of parboiled foreign rice, 1,791 vehicles, 813 packs of Tramadol, and 274 bags of cannabis, were part of the seizures made, he said the exercise has benefited the nation’s agricultural sector and economy generally.
Ali also stated that the exercise which commenced on August 20, 2019 involves the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security and intelligence agencies, under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
CGC Ali also said the exercise has also made it more difficult for terrorists and other criminals to acquire arms and ammunition, while criminal elements find it challenging to make their way into the country through the land and maritime borders. This he said has contributed to the reduction in cases of transnational organised crimes.
In a statement signed by the Customs Public Relations Officer (PRO), Joseph Attah, Ali was quoted as saying, “The present administration, through ONSA took a definitive step to put Nigeria on the path to food sufficiency, stem the flow of illicit arms into the country and improve national security through the Exercise.
“The joint border security exercise has, no doubt, saved the country huge resources and enhanced national security.
“For instance, the smuggling of drugs and proliferation of small arms and light weapons which are drivers to terrorism and other forms of criminalities in the country have been considerably curtailed.
“Exercise Swift Response has also boosted production of agricultural products, especially local rice, tomatoes, maize, poultry e.t.c, and this has stimulated the growth of the agricultural sector/economy.
“Today, Nigeria is fast attaining self-sufficiency in rice production, as the border drill has drastically reduced rice smuggling into the country and catalysed rice production by farmers across the country, while millions of direct and indirect jobs have been created.
“Huge amount in foreign exchange, that previously went into rice importation saved. The rice farmers in the country are now venturing beyond rice cultivation to milling, packaging and marketing.
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“Meanwhile, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) which is coordinating the exercise has continued to record large numbers of seizures and arrests from the 4 sectors of the North-West, North-Central, South-West, and South-South geopolitical zones.
“As at 31st August 2020, 1,243, irregular immigrants and 622 suspected smugglers have been arrested, while seizures include 134,042 bags of parboiled foreign rice; 9,600 bags of NPK fertiliser; 1,791 vehicles; 3,565,461.9 litres of PMS.
“Also 5,007 drums filled with PMS; 68,436.3 Jerry Cans of PMS; 130 engine boats; 847 motorcycles; 17,212.6 Jerricans of vegetable oil; 813 packs of Tramadol; 274 bags of cannabis; among other items. The estimated monetary value of the seizures is N11,030,062,952.50.”
The Customs boss reiterated that Nigeria remains committed to the ongoing diplomatic engagements to finding lasting solutions to the concerns that necessitated the partial border closure.
“While the priority for now remains to keep our borders safe from any inimical activity that would compromise our national interests and by extension our national security.
“We appeal to Nigerians to continue their support for the ongoing efforts towards making the nation better secured and economically viable, ” he said.
