FG bans rice import, others, raises border patrol team

The federal government has said the prohibition of the importation of parboiled rice, frozen chicken, illicit drugs, among others remains across the borders just as it transforms the Operation SWIFT RESPONSE (OSR) to become Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT).

The OSR was launched in August 2019 and coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). However, the new JBPT is part of a tripartite operation, comprising Benin, Niger and Nigeria, a statement from the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah said.

The NSA, Major Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) applauded the commitment of the security operatives during the OSR and urged them not to relax but display a high level of professionalism during the latest operation.

However, Customs said within a year and four months of the OSR, it seized items worth N12.54 billion at the orders while combating the smuggling of illicit drugs and proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

As of Tuesday, NCS said 1,401 irregular migrants have been arrested. The total seizures include 159,506 (50kg) bags of parboiled foreign rice, 10,447 bags of NPK fertilizer for making explosives, 1,974 vehicles and 895 motorcycles. Other items are 18,690 jerry cans of vegetable oil, among other seized items.