The Joint Border Operation Drill, Sector 3, has called for the reinforcement of the various security outfits in the country to sustain the gains recorded during the border drill operations.
The Acting Coordinator of the Joint Border Operation Drill, Sector 3, Compt. Garba Mohammed, told newsmen on Sunday in Ilorin that if the border drill was eventually terminated, the government should not relent.
Mohammed said reinforcement of the outfits would help to continue with the new trend of discovery.
The Sector 3 of the task force, which covers Benue, Kogi, Kwara and Niger States, was set up by the Federal Government in August 2019.
”With the achievements we have recorded so far, I don’t think the government will allow the conventional structure to remain.
”I believe the government will in its wisdom set up a complementary force to ensure that the activities of the task force and its gains are sustained.
”If the border drill is terminated for instance, I am sure the government will not relent.
”Various commands of the security outfits must be reinforced to make sure that they are able to continue with the new trends of the discovery.
”For example, all the vehicles bought for the border drill can be redistributed to the different commands.
”Also, the incentives given to this sector, may be added to theirs, depending on the pocket of the government,” Mohammed said.
The acting coordinator also urged government to also endeavour to sensitise personnel on lessons learnt from the border drill.
”If the government does not have adequate funds to do the above, sensitisation of the personnel haven learnt from this can also help, because the country is for all of us, if we don’t stand up, we will be in for it.
”The government is only trying to create an enabling environment for the economy to grow and there must be security because without security, economy can’t grow.
”Nobody will invest his capital in an unsecured economy,” Mohammed said.
The border drill is a task force set up by the Federal Government following the dangerous trend of insecurity in the country was tilting towards.
It is the highest task force set up by the office of the National Security Adviser, comprising all the security agencies in Nigeria to secure the land and maritime borders against smuggling, cattle rustling, child trafficking, proliferation of small and light weapons, and illegal migration.
The border drill was also set up to ensure that neighbouring countries respect the agreements and protocols entered into between Nigeria and the rest of the world.
The border drill task force was set up in August 2019 to checkmate illegal activities, including security challenges, along Nigeria’s border communities.
Meanwhile, the Joint Border Operation Drill, Sector 3 has seized 12,255 bags of rice; 252 litres of petrol; 6, 617 litres of diesel; 177 vehicles; 80 motor vehicles and repatriated 160 illegal immigrants since inception two months ago.
It also recovered 11 illicit weapons, including five single barrels, one locally made pistol and cartridges.
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