By Uzor Odigbo
One hundred persons suspected to be illegal immigrants have been arrested by Nigerian security forces in the ongoing joint operation at borders across four geopolitical zones.
Also arrested are 117 suspected smugglers with various smuggled items and means of conveyance from an operation codenamed “Exercise Swift Response” coordinated by Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Announcing in a press release, Joseph Attah, spokesman for Nigeria Customs Service, disclosed that the arrests were made as part of achievements from a joint operation embarked by the armed forces, Customs, Nigeria Immigration Service and Department of State Service three weeks ago.
Attah disclosed that Items recovered from the smugglers include 8,360 units of 50kg bags of rice; 122 bags of fertiliser; 77 vehicles; 781 drums filled with PMS as well as 16, 371 empty 200 litres drums to be used for smuggling PMS; 1,491 packs of assorted drugs; 3 outboard 40 Horse Power Engines; 13 Cotonou boats; 185 drums of groundnut oil; 6 trucks; 114 motorcycles;
Attah said the seizures and arrests were made from the four zones of South West, North West, North Central and South South.
He also wrote: “As part of the efforts to sustain the rigorous 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 better secure our borders, boost national economy and strengthen border security.
“Accordingly, we continue to appeal to the patriotic spirit of all Nigerians, especially members of the business community to see the exercise as an opportunity to further create a conducive environment for local businesses to thrive in the overall interest of national security and development.”
