Cross border transactions have been made more difficult as Customs continues joint security exercise

Cross border transactions have been made more difficult as the Nigeria Customs Service conducts joint border security exercise, Daily Trust reports.

This is barely a week after commercial activities came to a halt following the sudden closure of the Seme border in Lagos State over the exercise code named ‘Ex-Swift Response’ which involves other security agencies.

The Customs Service had explained that the exercise was part of measures to secure Nigeria’s land and maritime borders. Its Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah, had in a statement said that the exercise was to hold in the South-South, South-West, North-Central and North-West zones.

In the north-central states of Kwara, Niger and Kogi, a letter signed by MA Dahiru, an assistant comptroller-general of customs in charge of enforcement, said “In line with Circular EII/Circular No 020 (Border Drill Operational Team), you are directed to ensure the total Closure of all borders under your purview.” It directed that the action should take effect from August 20.

“The closure is to ensure that good and services are not traded/moved through the said borders,” the letter further read. Daily Trust reports that following the closure of the Seme border last week, similar exercises have also been experienced at other border states in the country. These include; Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa and Dutse.(Dailytust)