By Muhammad Nasir
Mr Adewale Adeniyi, the acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has visited Sokoto State to ascertain the level of compliance with the direction by Federal Government on closure of Border with Niger Republic.
Adeniyi visited Illela border where some trucks fully laden with goods trying to cross to Niger Republic were stuck as a result of the closure of the border.
However, while addressing community at the border community, Adeniyi assured that closure of Nigeria’s borders with Niger Republic is not a declaration of war between the two countries as speculated.
He also noted that the situation is the same in the other states of West Africa that share same border with Niger Republic.
“My mission here is to restate the directives of President Bola Tinubu, been not only the Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“As we are aware one of the Chairman’s responsibility is to promote trade between members of ECOWAS.
“But we all know that trade cannot happen in an environment where there is no peace.
“So the intention of government is to ensure that we leverage perfectly on the nexus between trade and security,” he said.
The acting comptroller general added that the situation happening in Niger Republic is such that trade cannot strive.
“This development initiated the ECOWAS Heads of States decision to seize trade with our neighbours, the Republic of Niger.
“However, there are other measures that are ongoing, the diplomatic front, there are engagement going on with the authority of Niger to ensure the crisis is peacefully resolved,” he added.
Adeniyi further stated that the action is not only restricted to Illela border but all other areas where the Niger Republic is bordering the country.
“So what we are saying is that the closure will be a temporary thing until we have final resolution of the crisis in Niger Republic.
“But certainly we are not at war with Niger Republic and no such declaration has been made,” he said.
On his remarks Alhaji Buhari Tukur, the District Head of Illela, appreciated the customs chief.
Tukur, represented by Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, assured that the community would continue to remain law abiding and respect government policies.
(NAN)
