IN a bid to ensure better enforcement of the Federal Government’s directive to close its borders with neighbouring countries, the Comptroller General, CG, of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (retd), has redeployed some officers in charge of border drill operations, border control, anti smuggling and enforcement commands.

BRITISH wartime Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, famously noted that, “you do not negotiate borders – you defend them”. Borders are the hallmarks of a sovereign state. Any country that cannot control hers is not worthy of its own statehood. The current global system of territorial states that we operate began in continental Europe, with the Treaty of Westphalia 1648 that ended the devastating Thirty Years’ religious wars.

TWENTY four trucks of premium motor spirit popularly known as petrol said to have been intercepted by men of the Ogun 1 Customs Command in conjunction with operatives of the Joint Border Operation may have stirred up speculations of official deceit and attempt to mislead Nigerians with fake news.

 The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, says Federal Government’s closure of the Nigerian border does not in any way breach the free trade agreement in the West African sub-region.

A Cleric, Christopher Qwolabi, on Friday, advised Nigerians, especially youths, to utilise the advantages of the nation’s border closure to be self-productive and reliant.