The Nigerian Customs Service is to conduct a joint exercise with sister security services to perfect strategies at enhancing the effective policing and safeguarding of the country’s borders.
The joint exercise, under coordination of Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, is to hold simultaneously in four geo-political zones of the country.
Comptroller-General of Customs, General Hameed Ali, retired, who disclosed this in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, in Abuja, said: “As part of measures to secure Nigeria’s land and maritime borders, the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, and the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria as well as the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, and other security and intelligence agencies, will be conducting a joint border security exercise, code-named “Ex-Swift Response.”
“The joint exercise is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, and will take place in four geopolitical zones, namely South-South, South-West, North-Central and North-West.
“It is expected that the exercise will promote inter-agency cooperation and increase preparedness to address trans-border security challenges such as terrorism, banditry, smuggling, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, among others.
“The exercise will also involve the movement of personnel, vehicles and equipment within the affected parts of the country.
“Therefore, we call on members of the public not to panic and should continue to engage in their normal duties.
“The overall objective is to ensure a peaceful and secured country in the interest of our national security.”
