By Muhammadu Sabiu
The Federal Government on Friday ordered the immediate closure of all land borders with the Niger Republic hours after efforts to negotiate with the coup plotters failed.
According to Bashir Adeniyi Adewale, the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCoS), the strategy is in the best interest of both nations.
The FG has instructed stakeholders in border management to guarantee complete compliance, according to Adewale, who was at the Jibia Border in Katsina State to monitor the degree of compliance.
Mr. Adeniyi was quoted saying, “As we all know, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is a champion of economic integration in West Africa. He believes so much that trade with our neighbour can bring prosperity to Nigerians and other people within the sub-region.”
“He had demonstrated this in words and deeds. This might have contributed to his emergence as Head of ECOWAS within a month of his emergence as president of Nigeria.
“Now, we have a situation in our hands where there is instability and insecurity. This situation does not allow for trade to flourish. We cannot have any meaningful trade in an atmosphere of insecurity and instability that we presently have 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.”
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