Buhari Extends Border Closure To January 31 …As Gunmen Kill Radio Nigeria Staff, One Other In Benue

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of the closure of Nigeria’s border with neighbouring countries to January 31, next year.
The exercise code-named ‘Operation Swift Response’ had resulted in joint border operations by a combined team of security agencies.
The Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspectorate, Victor Dimka, conveyed the Presidential directive in a memo to the sector coordinators.
The memo with reference number NCS/ENF/ABJ/221/S.45, and marked “Restricted” was dated November 1, 2019.
The memo, which was obtained by our source, yesterday, said that despite the overwhelming success of the operation, particularly the security and economic benefits to the nation, a few strategic objectives were yet to be achieved.
It said the need to achieve the strategic objectives of the exercise informed the extension of this phase by the President.
It assured operatives that are involved in the joint operations that their allowances would be paid.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, NCS, Mr Joseph Attah, confirmed the development in a telephone interview with our source, yesterday.
The memo reads in part, “I am directed to inform you that it is observed that despite the overwhelming success of the operation, particularly the security and economic benefits to the nation, a few strategic objectives are you to be achieved.
“Against this background, Mr President has approved the extension of the exercise to January 31, 2020.
“Consequently, you are requested to convey the development to all personnel for their awareness and guidance.
“Meanwhile, allowance for personnel sustenance and fuelling of vehicles for the period of extension will be paid as soon as possible.
“This is for your information and necessary action, please.”
Attah explained that the January 31, 2020 was not a terminal date for the entire border closure exercise but just for this phase of the operation.
He said the borders would remain closed indefinitely until the objectives of government for the operation were fully achieved.
Attah said, “This is not a terminal date, it’s just for this phase. You know operations of this type are phase by phase. So, this phase is extended to January 31.
“January 31 is the end of this phase, it’s in phases, two months, three months, we chose another phase.
“It is not a terminal date. The exercise will continue until the set objectives are achieved.”
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command, yesterday, confirmed the assassination of the head of ICT, Radio Nigeria Harvest FM, Makurdi, Mr Patrick Kumbul, and one Shongo Wuester by unknown gunmen in Makurdi, the Benue Stat capital.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Sewuese Anene, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Makurdi, explained that the victims were killed on Saturday night.
Anene said the victims, who were killed along Amokachi Lane, Low-Level area of Makurdi, were already deposited at the mortuary while the police have commenced full investigation into the matter.
The General Manager of the radio station, Mr Akange Nyagba, confirmed that he was within the vicinity of the crime when the incident occurred, and took the body of his slain colleague to the mortuary.
“It is true; I was within the vicinity, five meters away from where the incident took place. We were playing draft with friends very close to where he sat within his neighbourhood but we didn’t know the time he left.
“About five minutes later, we heard gunshots not more than five yards away from where we were. We rushed and discovered he was shot, we called the police but they didn’t come 30 minutes after, and we had no option but to take him to the mortuary.
“We understand that the gunmen, who dressed like SARS operatives, were about six in number and were on motorcycles.
“They actually came for Engineer. After killing him, they wanted to go, so one of his neighbours wanted to know the identity of any of them but they turned back, and killed him too,” he said.
Nyagba further called for full investigation into the assassination, and prayed God to grant his slain colleague eternal rest.
Reacting, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, charged the state Police Command and other security agencies to fish out the killers of Mr Patrick Kumbul, and his neighbour, and ensure they are brought to justice.
Kumbul and his neighbour were reportedly gunned down Saturday night, close to their residences on Daniel Amokachi Lane in the High-Level area of Makurdi town by a six-man gang who came on motorbikes.
In a statement issued, yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, the governor described as unacceptable the murder of Kumbul by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
Ortom urged residents of the state capital and neighbouring towns to volunteer information that would lead to the arrest of the killers.
The statement read: “The governor sympathizes with the entire Kumbul family, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Harvest FM staff in particular over the painful loss.
“As we pray God to grant the deceased eternal rest, all must be done by security agencies to ensure that the masterminds of the dastardly act were brought to justice.”