KATSINA STATE, JIBIA – The Federal Government of Nigeria has swiftly closed all land borders between the two countries as a strong response to the growing political unrest in the Niger Republic. The shutdown, which is being implemented with immediate effect, is intended to address the rising political unrest in the neighboring nation. Bashir Adeniyi Adewale, the acting controller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCoS), described the action as a strategic choice that prioritizes the interests of both countries.

 

Standing on the ground zero of this enforcement at the Jibia Border in Katsina State, Adewale provided insights into the rationale behind the government’s decision. This development comes in the light of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s vision for economic integration within West Africa, fostering the belief that cross-border trade could pave the way for prosperity not only for Nigerians but also for the wider sub-region. Adewale elaborated, “Tinubu’s commitment to this notion has been evident through both his words and actions. This dedication might have contributed to his swift ascent as the Head of ECOWAS shortly after assuming the presidency of Nigeria.”

However, the current scenario paints a different picture, one of instability and insecurity. This precarious environment is detrimental to the flourishing of trade relations. Adewale asserted, “Our existing circumstances, marked by instability and insecurity, are not conducive for healthy trade interactions. Sustaining meaningful trade under the present conditions in Niger Republic is unfeasible. Hence, under the authority of the ECOWAS Heads of States, a collective decision has been reached to temporarily suspend and seal off all land borders connecting with the Republic of Niger.”

The Nigeria Customs Service has taken charge of the execution of this directive, with joint operations alongside other government security agencies working cohesively. The joint efforts are being carried out as part of a comprehensive border drill to ensure the seamless implementation of the border closure policy across all porous borders. Adewale affirmed, “Our responsibilities extend to collaborating with fellow government bodies to oversee the full execution of this directive. I have personally assessed the situation at various border stations, and I am encouraged by the degree of compliance that I’ve observed.”

Elaborating further on the operational approach, Adewale stated, “The Nigeria Customs Service has strategically aligned with other security agencies as part of the border drill. These combined teams have been deployed to border areas to effectively execute the mandated border closure. The success of this endeavor hinges on attaining a complete compliance rate of 100 percent. This means that all incoming and outgoing cargo to and from Nigeria will be prohibited during the duration of this border closure.”