President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday has approved the policy which extends the reopening of the Nigerian border till it achieves the aim with which it closed the border in the first place.
This was disclosed through an sms forwarded to Daily Sun by Joseph Attah, the Nigerian Custom Service Spokesman, which clarified the details of the memo which predicted January 31, 2020 as the possible date for border reopening.
According to him, the date only predicted the end of the phase of joint security operation called Ex Swift, and not the date for border reopening.
He said:
“Please note that the internal memo is referring to the end of this phase of the joint security Ex Swift Response and not a terminal date for the partial border closure.“Security operation of this kind is usually in phases.
“The partial border closure will continue until the set objectives are achieved,” the statement said.
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Recall that the Nigerian Customs Service has issued a circular which was dated November 1, 2019 (NCS/ENF/ABJ/221/S.45) addressed to Sector Coordinators, joint border operations drill (Exercise Swift Response), which read;
“I am directed to inform you that it is observed that despite the overwhelming success of the operation, particularly the security and economic benefits to the nation, a few strategic objectives are you to be achieved.
“Against this background, Mr President has approved the extension of the exercise to January 31,2020.
“Consequently, you are requested to convey the development to all personnel for their awareness and guidance…
Land Borders were closed on August 20, 2019 in a joint border operation codenamed “Exercise Swift Response”