Nigerians, as well as foreigners, were deprived entry into the country through the Seme border, Lagos, for the better part of Wednesday, August 21, 2019, following information that the border had been shut.
Most of the returning Nigerians who had gone for an international workshop at the Institute of Mathematical Science and Physics, Dangbon, Port Novo, in Benin Republic, were forced to return to the host country when all entireties on security agents at the border failed.
However, the Nigeria Customs Service said that the border was not shut. Rather, it explained that movement of illegal migrants in and out of the country was only restricted.
The checks according to the Customs, was being carried out by operatives of the newly launched joint border security exercise code-named EX-SWIFT RESPONSE, as part of measures to secure the nation’s land and maritime borders, against influx of illegal migrants and other acts of criminalities.
The joint exercise, involves 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 and other security and intelligence agencies.
The exercise which began on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, is expected to end by September 15, 2019.
The Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attach, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, in Lagos, informed that the joint exercise was being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, adding that it would take place in four geopolitical zones: South-South, South-West, North-Central and North-West.
He explained that the exercise among other aims was expected to promote “interagency cooperation and increase preparedness to address trans-border security challenges such as terrorism, armed 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.
Army warns troops against acts of indiscipline
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General J.O Irefin, has warned troops deplored for the joint operation to be good ambassadors of the Force, by discharging their duties in a professional manner.
The GOC who gave the admonition while addressing the troops during a familiarization visit to the headquarters of the 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Cantonment, also warned the troops against acts inimical to the Force.
Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 9 Brigade, Major Clement Abiade, in a statement issued on the visit, said, “Gen. Irefin also addressed troops earmarked for joint border security exercise and charged them to be good ambassadors of the Nigerian Army by discharging their duties in a professional manner. He sternly warned that the Nigerian Army would not condone any act of indiscipline.
“ The visit was concluded with GOC’s tour inspection of Ikeja Army Cantonment facilities where he promised to take the welfare of troops as paramount”.
Nigerians lament
Meanwhile, some stranded Nigerians at the Benin Republic’s end of the border, who spoke with Vanguard alleged that they were harassed by the security agents.
One of them who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “ I went for a workshop at the Institute of Mathematical Science and Physics, in Port Novo, Benin Republic, sponsored by World Bank.
We were 45 Nigerian participants.
The workshop started on August 14, 2019, and ended on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, about 6pm.
We all came to the border on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, only to be told that the border had been shut since the previous day. I went with my Nigerian passport which was stamped and with my yellow card, which I showed to some Immigration officers.
They said there was nothing they could do that the directive was from Abuja. My supervisor even went to the Comptroller to explain that we had the necessary document but he was told same thing.
Some of us paid N1,000 to commercial motorcyclists who took us through illegal routes” Others, particularly traders, lamented that they were forced to return to hotels in Benin Republic, with their goods, adding that the extra cost would affect sales.
Some soldiers marched us back with koboko
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