Border patrol team arrests 21 foreigners entering Nigeria despite border closure

• IK Oladeji, the Comptroller of the Joint Border Team, reported in Katsina on Thursday that the team seized goods worth over N1 billion within a two-week period
  

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The Immigration division of the Joint Border Patrol Team, also known as Border Drill, apprehended 21 foreigners attempting to enter Nigeria from Niger Republic, despite the border closure.

IK Oladeji, the Comptroller of the Joint Border Team, reported in Katsina on Thursday that the team seized goods worth over N1 billion within a two-week period.

Nigeria closed its border with Niger Republic last year after a military coup ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

The extensive 1,600 km border shared by seven northern states in Nigeria and Niger Republic has historically involved intermarriage and trade relationships. In response to the closure, the Nigerian government deployed additional security personnel to ensure compliance.

“Our unit has recorded success in arresting foreign nationals who attempted to enter the country despite border closure. Twenty-one (21) were arrested between 2 January to 17 January 2024 by the immigration arm of our Unit Sector 4 headed by the Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, BB Alhaji. The said 21 foreigners have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service authority for appropriate action,” Mr Oladeji said.

Mr Oladeji said Unit Sector 4 (North-west) was mandated by the federal government to ensure total compliance with the border closure.

Some of the goods seized were trailer loads of used clothes, matches and textile materials, couscous, drugs, snuff, spaghetti, cigarettes, rice, vegetable oil, and children ‘s pants, among others.

He stated the total duty paid value for the goods as N1.225 billion.

“Upon my resumption, we restrategised, planned and restructured our operational methodology with the renewed vigour of all offices and men of the Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Immigration Service that are serving under the sector,” he said.

Mr Oladeji said, not unmindful of the impact of the border closure, the sector on Wednesday auctioned 60 jerry cans of seized fuel to residents.

“I wish to use this medium to give a stern warning to smugglers and other criminals to stay clear from the north west zone border area as JBPT sector 4 under my leadership will ensure that the mandates given to it by the federal government of Nigeria are achieved by all means irrespective of the calibre of such people,” Mr Oladeji warned.