The spate of cross border banditry and internal criminal activities which was on the increase before now on our gateways to the ecowas nations has really accelerated the level of security consciousness as far as southwestern boundaries are concerned.
Thus the establishment of quality Nigeria/Benin enhanced joint Border Patrol, A transborder security outfit is most welcome since they give additional boost to the efforts of other security Agencies like the Nigeria Police, Customs, Immigration only to mention but few.
However, long before security problems reached a crisis point, the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government had visualized the future of Nigeria,s Security need around our southwestern frontiers which made them establish the Nigeria/Benin enhanced joint Border Patrol with the late Sp Sunday Bada as the Pioneer Commander, An athlete of the blessed memory.
The basis for creation of Nigeria/Benin enhanced Joint Border Patrol Outfit around the Nigeria’s land borders was informed by the need to take security activities to the grassroots. It is in that light therefore and without any iota of doubt, that one can confidently say that the present team of border patrol operatives under the leadership of Chief Superintendent of Police Ogechi, Moses Udu lived up to expectations.
The issue of insecurity in Nigeria especially in the south western towns bordering Benin Republic had reached an alarming rate before now. There was no passing day that lives and properties especially vehicular treaffic were not reportedly molested by assailants, who are mostly non Nigerians. So many things have been said about the cause of insecurity in the country, ranging from unemployment t of youths, injustice on the part of our leaders, corruption in high places, to our porous borders which allows foreign nationals into the country with reckless abandon.
Of all these causes of insecurity in the country, the most serious one is that of our porous borders which permits foreign nationals from neighboring countries into the country unchecked, and at the end constitute security risk.

On assumption of office in less one year, C.S.P Ogechi within the span of three months has made giant strides in actualizing the aspirations of the people and those of its founding fathers. In fact at present the Border Patrol Outfit can boast of competing with other advanced border patrols as obtained in other climes. This could be seen in terms of strict compliance of officers with the commanders details
At the time commander Ogechi took over the reigns of leadership of the Nigeria/ Benin enhanced Joint Border Patrol, the frontier in the whole of southwestern Nigeria were at cross-roads in its economic, social and political developments security-wise. Insecurity was written on the face of every user of those borders and the security details was a far cry from what obtained in modern times.
So commander Ogechi’s administration of the border security outfit being the most credible ever since it came into being, came on board with very high expectations from international and local users of our borders to deliver them from the terrible situation they were. It was a divine call to duty which the commander understood perfectly. He took the bull by the horn as evidenced by his motley of achievements.
CSP Ogechi has ever been a silent achiever in the Nigeria Police Force with an uncompromising status. Before now, Ogechi had served as the Squadron Commander, MOPOL 43, Lion Building, Commander in charge of Diplomatic Missions and the Commander Lion Building.
He was not found wanting in the discharge of his duties to the nation, his father land. He also served as commander, Federal Task Force on Narcotic and Counterfeit Drug under the late Dr Dora Akunyili and he contributed largely to the success recorded in the war against fake drugs.
No wonder he was singled out for the task of carrying out the presidential mandate of securing Nigeria’s most strategic land border. Ogechi’s antecedents with his employers is richly cordial and could fetch him a higher responsibility any day.
By Kalu Okpo
[pmw magazine]