Border Closure: Benin Republic Security Operatives Plan to Arrest Nigerian Counterparts over Smuggling Allegation
By Francis Ugwoke
There has been palpable apprehension among Nigerian security operatives participating in the ongoing joint border drill at Seme border over plans by security operatives of the Benin Republic to arrest any security personnel found to be involved in illegal deals in that country.
Sources said the security operatives are angry that some unscrupulous Nigerian security operatives are alleged to have gone into Cotonou to smuggle some food items, particularly rice for sale to Nigerian traders willing to buy them.
Angered by this development, the security operatives had planned to arrest those involved and bring them to book.
The Benin Republic operatives are worried that while the border remained closed, some privileged security operatives, among them some Customs officers in uniform were busy going into their country to smuggle rice for selfish purposes.
They were said to have prepared to effect the arrest until their plans were leaked with warning to all security operatives to beware or suffer humiliation.
An intelligence report dated November 13, sighted by SHIPPING DAY and issued by the Police which is part of the Joint Border Patrol confirmed this allegation.
The Police had in that report warned all its operatives not to enter Benin Republic in their uniform for any unofficial trip to avoid any “ untoward development”.
The intelligence report warned that on no account should any Police personnel irrespective of section be allowed to cross the border to the neighbouring country of Benin.
It would be recalled that a member of the House of Representatives had also come out to allege the involvement of some unidentified security operatives who are involved in smuggling in the Northern part of the country following the closure of the border.
At plenary, Hon Sada Soli (APC-Katsina) had accused Customs of connivance with smugglers to smuggle some items into the country.
Soli was quoted saying, “Mr. CG you are a very honest person and some of your men, are also honest and I want to tell you that this policy would push people into illegal activities the more. You need to sit down and look at this policy because I believe some of your men pushed you to carry out this policy and a lot of them are benefiting from it the more. Sir, you might not agree with me because they are your men, but they are making more money now. We live on these borders and I’m telling you the reality. There’s a need to take intelligence and get this done once and for all because your men are extorting our people because of this policy. I must say I like this policy but your men are not doing their job, rather it is an open window for corruption.”
About Post Author
