AS part of measures to secure Nigeria’s land and maritime borders, 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 will be conducting a joint border security exercise, codenamed “EX-SWIFT RESPONSE.”
According to a statement signed on Tuesday by the Customs Spokesman, who also doubles as the Spokesman for the Joint Exercise, DC Joseph Attah, “The joint exercise is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and will take place in 4 geopolitical zones, namely; South-South, South-West, North-Central and North-West.
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“It is expected that the exercise will promote interagency cooperation and increase preparedness to address trans-border security challenges such as terrorism, armed banditry, smuggling, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, amongst 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 secure country in the interest of our National Security.”
It would be recalled that Sunday Tribune Newspapers had broken the news of a joint security exercise by security operatives, which might possibly lead to a border closure in the wake of insecurity issues rocking the nation.
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