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The Federal Government has taken decisive action in response to the prevailing political instability in the Niger Republic. On Friday, they issued an official order for the immediate closure of all land borders with the neighboring country. This measure has been implemented with the aim of ensuring the security and stability of our nation. The closure of the borders serves as a proactive step to safeguard our borders and mitigate any potential risks that may arise due to the situation in the Niger Republic. The government remains committed to preserving peace and tranquility within our borders while closely monitoring the developments in our neighboring country.
“As we all know, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is a staunch advocate of economic integration in West Africa. He firmly believes that fostering trade with our neighbors can bring about prosperity not only to Nigerians but also to other people within the sub-region,” he stated.
“President Tinubu has consistently demonstrated this commitment through both his words and actions. This dedication may have played a significant role in his appointment as the Head of ECOWAS within just a month of becoming the President of Nigeria.
“However, we find ourselves facing a challenging situation characterized by instability and insecurity. Regrettably, such circumstances hinder the potential for trade to flourish. It is impossible to engage in meaningful trade amidst the current atmosphere of insecurity and instability, particularly evident in Niger Republic.”
That is why the ECOWAS, through the authority of the Heads of States, had taken the decision to suspend and close all land borders with the Republic of Niger.”
According to him, the Service has deployed officers and men attached to the joint operations team in the form of the border drill to implement the policy across all porous borders.
“It is the responsibility of the Nigeria Customs Service, working with other agencies of government, to implement the decision in its entirety. I have gone round some border stations and I am happy with what I have seen in terms of compliance,” the Customs boss added.
The Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with various security agencies, is actively conducting joint operations as part of the border drill initiative. These deployments aim to effectively implement the border closure order. Full compliance with this measure is paramount, as it necessitates the complete restriction of all inbound and outbound cargoes to and from Nigeria for the duration of the border closure period.”
