Border closure: Buhari orders arrest of security operatives over illegal release of 295 tankers of smuggled fuel
President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned a security outfit to check illegal operations and activities of government officials and suspected smugglers at the country’s borders.
The creation of the outfit, codenamed ‘Operation Swift Response’, followed discovery that some officials are neck deep in deals with smugglers to perpetrate illegalities.
“The border drill has been hugely successful and has led to the interception and seizure of large quantities of foods, materials, minerals and petroleum resources illegally trafficked across our borders. The president commends the security agencies for a job well done.
“He, however, finds it disheartening to learn that 295 smuggled petroleum tankers were released without due authorisation on 17th December, 2019 by some security officials charged with the responsibility of protecting our borders.
“Sequel to this act, the National Security Adviser (NSA) was directed to set up a Board of Inquiry to investigate the crime, and it was recommended to the president that all officials (civilian or security operatives) found to have connived to undermine government’s efforts should be withdrawn from the border drill and severely sanctioned by their respective organisations.