Yemisi Izuora
Nigeria’s security situation appear to be gradually becoming manageable especially the rising cases of kidnappings and other forms of arms banditry following land border closure by federal government.
Minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed giving synopsis of breakthrough since the closure was effected in a speech delivered at Seme border during the meeting of Exercise Swift Response, ESR, said a lot has been achieved as he applauded the decision.
According to Mohammed, As part of measures to secure Nigeria’s land and maritime borders, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and 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 commenced a joint border security exercise, codenamed ‘EX-SWIFT RESPONSE’ in four geopolitical zones of the country, namely South South, South West, North Central and North West on the 20th August 2019.
The exercise is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and is aimed at better securing our borders in order to strengthen our economy and address other trans-border security concerns.
Since the closure the exercise has recorded a number of seizures and arrests that would have had grave security consequences.
According to the Minister, “So far, 296 illegal immigrants have been arrested. Also, some items seized include; 38,743-50kg bags of parboiled foreign rice; 514 vehicles; 1,012 drums filled with PMS; 5,400 Jerricans of vegetable oil; 346 motorcycles; 10, 553 Jerricans of PMS and 136 bags of NPK fertilizer used for making explosives. The estimated values of the apprehended items is about ₦3,500,000.
He noted that 95 per cent of illicit drugs and weapons that are being used for acts of terrorism and kidnapping in Nigeria today come in through our porous borders, adding that since this partial closure, the acts have been drastically reduced. “Our conclusion is that, the arms and ammunition these terrorists and criminal elements were using no longer gains access into the country.
In addition, the drugs which affect the health and the wellbeing of Nigerians have equally been reduced.” Mohammed said.
He said that overtime, Nigeria has been confronted with numerous trans-border economic and security challenges, ranging from banditry, kidnapping, smuggling, illegal migrants and proliferation of light weapons amongst others.
He stated that the preference for foreign goods, especially food items like rice has continuously impoverished local farmers and adversely affected domestic government policies supporting the agricultural sector to enhance food security.
He said it was very disturbing that some neighbouring countries circumvent the ECOWAS protocol on transit.
“For clarity, the ECOWAS protocol on transit demands that when a transit container berths at a seaport, the receiving country is mandated to escort same without tampering with the seal to the border of the destination country. Unfortunately, experience has shown that our neighbours do not comply with this protocol. Rather, they break the seals of containers at their ports and trans-load goods destined for Nigeria.” said the Minister.
He further said that the partial closure has so far curbed the smuggling of foreign rice into the country, in addition to other prohibited items.
“Our series of interactions and engagements with Rice Miller Association of Nigeria since the commencement of this exercise, has shown that the border closure has enhanced more production and milling of Nigerian rice.
Patronage of Nigerian rice has increased and farmers are expanding their farms as well as engaging more hands.
Furthermore, the border closure has impacted positively on revenue generation of the Federal Government which in turn will be used to build more infrastructures and develop critical sectors of the nation’s economy.
The border exercise has also curbed diversion of petroleum products from Nigeria to neighbouring countries.” Mohammed said.
The Minister also added that government, through diplomatic channels will continue to engage neighbours to agree to comply with the ECOWAS Protocol on Transit so that goods that are on the prohibition list to Nigeria, such as rice, used clothing, poultry products and vegetable oil should not be exported to the country.
He said that as a result of this closure, Niger Republic has already circulated an order banning exportation of rice in any form to Nigeria and in addition, the National Assembly has supported the executive directive on the border closure and the efforts of security agencies in executing the task.
Speaking further he said the exercise has provided a unique platform for the various participating agencies to jointly operate together thereby strengthening inter-agency collaboration and reducing animosity, stressing that this is the first exercise in recent times, that military, paramilitary as well as intelligence and security agencies have come together to conduct such an exercise which is akin to a National Security exercise.
He said government will continue to seek the support of all and sundry including the media to ensure that the desired objectives of this exercise, that is; to promote a secured, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria are fully achieved.
“While we call on Nigerian local rice consumers to be patriotic by patronizing Nigerian rice, as this will further help the country in reaching self-sufficiency in local rice production and boost our economy, we equally appeal to the business community to see the exercise as opportunity to further create a conducive environment for local businesses to thrive in the interest of national security and development.” Mohammed concluded.