By Uzor Odigbo
The ongoing border security operations carried out by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) , Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Armed Forces code named “Exercise SWIFT Responds” has so far in the last six days recorded a huge success.
In a press statement, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah on behalf of the Comptroller General of the Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) said that 33 migrants have been arrested, while several smuggled goods were also intercepted within the period.
The statement reads: “The resolve of Nigerian security agencies to better secure the country’s territorial integrity particularly; the land and maritime borders against trans-border security concerns has started yielding positive results from the ongoing joint border security exercise, code named ‘Exercise SWIFT RESPONSE’.
“The exercise, which commenced barely a week ago has received appreciable support from members of the populace such as border community dwellers and other well-meaning Nigerians. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which is coordinating the exercise is already recording large numbers of seizures and arrests from the 4 sectors comprising the North-West, North-Central, South-West, and South-South geopolitical zones.
“As at 26th August 2019, 33 illegal migrants have been arrested while seizures include: 3,560-50kg bags of parboiled foreign rice; 59 bags of NPK fertilizer; 15 vehicles; 12 drums filled with PMS; 3 engine boats; 65 drums of groundnut oil; 4 truck; 75 gallons of PMS; 29 motorcycles; 68 gallons of vegetable oil; 70 jerricans of PMS; among other items.
“The exercise, 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 have continued to patrol and secure our border areas. While an exercise of this nature is likely to create some inconveniences to members of the public, the overriding interest is to prevent the country against transnational security concerns such as smuggling, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, irregular migration, terrorism, armed banditry, amongst a host of other concerns.
“This is consistent with the constitutional responsibility of any well-meaning government. We therefore continue to seek the support of all and sundry, to ensure that the desired objectives of Exercise SWIFT RESPONSE are achieved, in order to promote a secured, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.”