Customs: Borders to remain closed till Jan 31

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of the closure
of Nigeria ’s border with neighbouring countries to January 31 , next
year.
The exercise code -named operation Exercise Swift Response had
resulted in joint border operations by a combined team of security
agencies .
The Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement ,
Investigation and Inspectorate , Victor Dimka , conveyed the
Presidential directive in a memo to the Sector Coordinators .
The memo with reference number NCS / ENF / ABJ / 221 / S .45 , and
marked “Restricted ” was dated November 1 , 2019 .
The memo which was obtained by our correspondent on Sunday said that
despite the overwhelming success of the operation , particularly the
security and economic benefits to the nation , a few strategic
objectives are yet to be achieved .
It said the need to achieve the strategic objectives of the exercise
informed the extension of this phase by the President.
It assured operatives that are involved in the joint operations that
their allowances would be paid .
The memo reads in part, “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 .”

…closure has helped in checking arms smuggling – DSS DG

Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf
Bichi,  has said 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 has also helped security agencies
monitor the movement of “people that are likely to undermine the
security of this country”.
In October, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) banned the import and
export of all products through the country’s land borders in a bid to
inhibit smuggling activities.
“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 will 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.