Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has denied closure of Seme-Krake border with Republic of Benin, explaining that the ongoing joint security exercise in the area was to tackle trans-border crimes.

Mr Joseph Attah, Public Relations Officer of NCS said in Abuja on Friday that the joint security exercise was simply staged to respond to trans-border crimes and criminality.

Attah urged the public and travellers who utilize the route to go about their businesses without apprehension, stressing ‘’those with legitimate engagements should have nothing to be afraid of.”

He explained that security agencies in the country came together to form a bond and deploy a common response strategy to tackle insecurity in the area.

“Our attention was drawn to what happened at Seme Border on Wednesday due to a slight misconception but it was immediately resolved. “Whoever has valid document is free to come into the country but those without legitimate documents will not be allowed into our country.

“The initial take off of the joint security exercise commenced on Tuesday afternoon. For people to see increased security operatives at the border, it is normal that there could be a misconception,’’ he said.

Attah also said the joint exercise was timely because of security challenges such as terrorism, importation of illegal arms, and increased illegal migration. He further said that security operatives were committed and determined to face security challenges around the border areas head-on.

Federal Government had set up inter-security task force to conduct joint border security in four geopolitical zones of the country to tackle insecurity. The Joint Border Task Force is codenamed “Ex-Swift Response.”

The taskforce comprises of personnel of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), armed forces and Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Zones that the taskforce had deployed men so far include South-South, South-West, North-Central and North-West. The joint exercise is being coordinated by Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

NAN