In compliance with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS resolutions over the recent coup in the Niger Republic, the Federal Government has directed the immediate closure of the Nigeria/Niger borders, restricting all inbound and outbound cargoes in and out of Nigeria.
The Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale, who announced in Katsina during his visit to the Jibiya border, assured that the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS will ensure effective manning of all illegal routes into the country.
Since the military coup in the Niger Republic on July 26, entry and exit points in the country, especially towns that border the country, have become prone to illegal immigrants, as a result of the development.
To restrict any imminent breakdown of law and order, and any possible spillover effect of the political instability, the ECOWAS, among many sanctions handed down to the country, has closed all land borders.
Katsina has two major land borders, Jibiya and Kongolam with the Niger Republic, apart from other illegal routes that the Federal Government has ordered to be closed.
To enforce the order, the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale, while at the Jibiya Border Area in Katsina State, restated the commitment of the NCS to ensure total compliance with the order.
He added that even though Nigeria is a champion of economic integration in West Africa, the safety and unity of the country are non-negotiable.
The Customs Boss later had an interactive session with stakeholders, as they promised to obey every order by the Federal government and see to the peaceful coexistence of the nation.
As of the time of this report, many trucks and other vehicles conveying goods into the country via the Jibiya border are stranded, since the order came into force.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
