The Nigerian government has directed the immediate shutdown of all land crossings with neighboring Niger Republic due to ongoing political turbulence in that nation. According to Acting Head of Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale, the policy aims to protect the interests of both countries during this uncertain period.

“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,” Adewale stated while inspecting compliance at the Jibia border post in Katsina State.

“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.”

Adewale said Customs officers have been deployed with interagency border operation teams to enforce the closure across porous frontiers. He expressed satisfaction with compliance levels during initial monitoring of border stations.

The Customs chief stated, “It is the responsibility of the Nigeria Customs Service, working with other agencies of government, to implement the decision in its entirety…The compliance has to be 100 per cent which means that all in-bound and out-bound cargoes in and out of Nigeria will not be allowed during the period of border closure.”

The government insists full closure is required to safeguard trade and security interests given Niger’s volatile situation.