The closure of Nigerian borders has helped in the reduction of cases of terrorism and kidnapping across the country, the Federal Government has declared.
It said that was so because 95 per cent of illicit drugs and weapons used for carrying out the terrorism and kidnapping were brought into the country through its porous borders.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the declaration on Monday at Seme Border when he spoke about Exercise Swift Response designed to ensure security of lives and property in some geo-political zones of the country.
His words: “It is important to note 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. However, 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 gain access into the country. In addition, the drugs which affect the health and the wellbeing of Nigerians have equally been reduced.”
He added: “In the area of security, the ongoing exercise has recorded a number of seizures and arrests that would have had grave security consequences. 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 value of the apprehended items is about ₦3,235,126,420.00.”
The minister also said the partial closure had so far curbed the smuggling of foreign rice into the country, in addition to other prohibited items.
He said besides, interactions and engagements with Rice Miller Association of Nigeria since the commencement of this exercise had shown that the border closure had 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,” he said.
He stressed that the initiative of the government had forced a neighbouring country, Niger, to be ready to comply with ECOWAS Protocol on Transit.
“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. As a result of this closure, Niger Republic has already circulated an order banning exportation of rice in any form to Nigeria. In addition, the National Assembly has supported the executive directive on the border closure and the efforts of security agencies in executing the task,” he said.
