President Muhammadu Buhari says the partial closure of Nigeria’s borders is not caused solely because food products, particularly rice, were being smuggled into Nigeria, but also because arms and ammunition, as well as hard drugs were being ferried into the country.
Holding a bilateral meeting Monday in London on the sidelines of the UK-Africa Investment Summit 2020 with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, the Nigerian leader said he could not keep his eyes open, and watch youths being destroyed through cheap hard drugs, and compromised security caused by unbridled influx of small arms.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said it was regrettable that the partial border closure was having negative economic impact on Nigeria’s neighbours, but added that he cannot leave his country, particularly the youths, endangered.
The President said the Sahel region was awash with small arms, which accounts for severe security challenges in Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria.
On time frame for reopening the borders, President Buhari said it would not happen till the final report of a committee set up on the matter was submitted and considered.
President Akufo-Addo, while showing understanding of the need for Nigeria to protect her citizens, pleaded for “an expedited process, because the Nigerian market is significant for certain categories of business people in Ghana.”
