SHUAIBU WINDS DOWN BORDER DRILL IN GRAND STYLE; ANNOUNCES N36.7 BILLION SEIZURES AS HE HEADS TO IDIROKO COMMAND
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
It was sweet memories of hardwork for the operatives of the Joint Border Patrol Team, Sector 2 of the South West , as its Co-ordinator, Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu, held a valedictory press briefing today, a fore-runner to the winding up of the exercise beginning next Monday December 9,2024.
This is consequent on a statement signed by Deputy Comptroller General OA Alajogun, fsi that the National Security Adviser has directed for its disbandment.
Shuaibu who used the opportunity to honour some of the officers who have performed exceedingly well, announced that the operation recorded a whopping N36.7 billion seizures since its inception on August 20, 2019.
The Co-ordinator who has been tipped to head to Idiroko Border as the new helmsman explained that the exercise formerly code-named ‘Operation Swift Response’ was inaugurated to address security challenges along the nation’s international borders, caused by the proliferation of smuggled small and light weapons, illicit drugs, prohibited goods and other cross-border crimes.
As the principal adviser to the President on nationąl security, the Offiče of the National Security Adviser coordinates the management of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), Working closely with the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Police, the Immigration Service, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, and the Nigerian Customs Service as the lead agency to ensure an improved security at the nations border.
The Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 2, covers the Southwest geo-political
Zone of Nigeria. It specifically focused on the border corridors with the neighboring countries.
He stated that the doggedness and the sacrifice of JBPT Sector 2 in fighting cross-border Crimes was instrumental in achieving some significant successes. This includes the seizure of goods worth a Duty Paid Value of over N36.7 billion and the interception of 1,507 irregular immigrants.
The Sector’s efforts also boosted the Federal Government’s revenue through auction sales. An aggregate of One Billion, One Hundred and Fourty Million,
One Hundred and Sixty-two Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty-two naira (N1,1140,162,562) was paid into the federation account from the sales of seized petroleum products, at the same time the national security was enhanced by
seizing and frustrating the supply chains of ilicit goods which had security implications and concerns.
According to him, the recent of this kind of seizures was on December 3, 2024, when a patrol team signted a man running away from a stationed Toyota Camnry Saloon car along the Okerete-Ododo bush path of Oyo State. The fleeing man’s action raised suspicion on the abandoned vehicle and it was intercepted.
After conducting a search on the vehicle, it was found to contain six pump-action rifles with the following numbers: 602-H22YT-641, 602-H22YT-397, 602-H22YT-623, 22-MT-0238, P537916, and TO51084. A total of 1,125 pieces of live cartridges were found to be carefully concealed inside sacks containing cassava flakes.
Prominent among other seizures recorded from 20 August 2019 till date
are;
130,954 bags of foreign bags of rice (50kg) equivalent to 218 truck loads, 7,200 kg of pangolin scales, 5,575,020 litres of Premium motor spirit, 11,322 cartons of foreign frozen products, 4,124 bales of used clothes, 4,057 kegs of vegetable oil, 15 pump action riffles, 280 suspected cases of human trafficking, 480 units of motor vehicles, 1190 means of conveyance
The Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) Sector 2 had encountered some challenges were surmounted with the aid of collaboration with some critical
operational challenges like any other establishment. However, these Stakeholders, developing innovative problem-solving skills and commitment
to effective leadership and management.
At this juncture, he expressed his deepest appreciation and gratitude to the officers and men of JBPT Sector 2, across the component security agencies, patriotic citizens and stakeholders for your unwavering commitment to fighting cross-border crimes. I am honored to lead a courageous and determined team that is committed to the safety and security of our nation. Your dedication, bravery, and perseverance have been instrumental to the successes recorded by the team.
The tireless efforts you made towards securing Our borders by suppressing
Smuggling, and the interception of illegal immigrants are not unnoticed. thank you for demonstrating professionalism, teamwork, and patriotism in the face of numerous challenges.
Tne National Security Adviser, MALLAM NUHU RIBADU, and the Comptroller General of Customs, BASHIR ADEWALE ADENIYI MFR.
The Co-ordinator expressed heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support towards die success of the Joint Border Patrol Team, Sector II. Your leadership style and logistics supply are instrumental to our success story at suppressing cross-border crimes. We are grateful for the opportunity to Work under your supervision.