The Federal Government has extended the duration of the ongoing ‘Exercise Swift Response’ across the nation’s borders till January 31, 2020.
A directive to this effect has been communicated to Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Area Command at the borders and commanders of the joint border patrol, code-named “EX-SWIFT RESPONSE.”
This is as the Federal Government says N2.3tn worth of contraband have been seized from smugglers since President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a partial closure of land borders in the country to tackle smuggling of rice and other goods into Nigeria on August 20, 2019.
The exercise, which is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser involves the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army.
It was contained in a memo, with ref: NCS/ENF/ABJ/221/S.45, issued by Customs’ Comptroller (Enforcement), Mr Victor Dimka, dated November 1, 2019, and addressed to the sector coordinators of the Joint Border Operation Drill – Sectors 1, 2, 3, and 4.
According to Dimka, President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the on-going Ex-SWIFT RESPONSE till the above date.
The terminal date of the extension does not automatically translate to end of the closure of the borders, as the NCS’s spokesman, Mr. Joseph Attah, told Vanguard, yesterday, that the extension was for the current phase and would continue until set objectives were achieved.
Mr. Dimka’s memo read: “I am directed to inform you that it is observed that despite the overwhelming success of the operation, particularly the security and economic benefits to the nation, a few strategic objectives are you to be achieved.
“Against this background, Mr. President has approved the extension of the exercise to January 31, 2020.
“Consequently, you are requested to convey the development to all personnel for their awareness and guidance.
“Meanwhile, allowance for personnel sustenance and fuelling of vehicles for the period of extension will be paid as soon as possible. This is for your information and necessary action, please.”
The spokesman of the NCS, Mr. Joseph Attah, clarified that January 31, 2020, would be the end of the current phase of exercise Swift Response as, according to him, security exercises are usually conducted in phases.
“The internal memo is referring to the end of this phase of the joint security Ex Swift Response and not a terminal date for the partial border closure.
“Security operation of this kind is usually in phases. The partial border closure will continue until the set objectives are achieved,” he said.
Meanwhile, Director-General of the Department of State Service, DSS, Yusuf Bichi, has said that the closure of Nigeria’s land borders has helped to check the smuggling of arms into the country.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the executive intelligence management course of the National Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, Bichi said the closure had also helped security agencies to monitor the movement of people likely to undermine the security of the country.
“The recent closure of our borders attest to what we intend to achieve despite the criticism, the closure of our borders so far, have succeeded in checkmating not only smuggling of goods that are illegally brought into the country, even firearms and then checkmating the movement of people that are likely to undermine the security of this country,” Bichi said.
Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had also said extended closure of the borders would put an end to Nigeria’s security challenges.
According to him, the borders will remain closed until neighbouring countries reach agreements on mutual anti-smuggling policies.
