Nigerian Customs Arrests 100 Illegal Migrants, Seizes Goods worth Billions of Naira

Barely three weeks into the intensive joint border patrol by Nigeria’s security agencies, at least 100 illegal migrants have been arrested, while goods worth billions of naira were seized.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has continued to receive reports of large numbers of seizures and arrests from the four sectors of North West, North Central, South West and South-South geopolitical zones.

As at 10 September 2019, 100 illegal migrants have been arrested while seizures so far include: 8,360-50kg bags of parboiled foreign rice; 122 bags of fertilizer; 77 vehicles; 781 drums filled with PMS as well as 16, 371 empty 200 litres drums to be used for smuggling PMS; 1,491 packs of assorted drugs; 3 outboard 40HP Engines; 13 Cotonu boats; 185 drums of groundnut oil; 6 trucks; 114 motorcycles; among other items with 117 suspects.

As part of the efforts to sustain the rigorous patrol along the national borderlines, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), Comptroller General of Immigration, Mohammed Babandade and the  Coordinator of the exercise, Brig Gen Emmanuel Aliyu Ndagi  have commenced an on the spot assessment of the implementation and compliance of the ongoing border security drills. 

The exercise, which is being led by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the 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 is intended to better secure Nigerian borders, boost national economy and strengthen border security.

According to DC Joseph Attah, Public Relations Officer of NCS, “we continue to appeal to the patriotic spirit of all Nigerians, especially members of the business community to see the exercise as an opportunity to further create a conducive environment for local businesses to thrive in the overall interest of national security and development.”

-Story by DEDEIGBO AYODEJI

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