DOCUMENT: FG closes all North-Central Borders, no goods must come in from neighboring countries

In line with the federal government directive on closure of all borders across Nigeria, the Nigerian Customs, on Tuesday, effected the closure of all borders in the North Central zone of the country.

Sponsored Ads

A circular to that effect, dated August 20, 2019 and singed by Assistant Comptroller General, M. A. Dahiru, copy of which was made available to WazobiaReporters, was addressed to the Kwara, Niger and Kogi States Compliance Team.

LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT

The circular with Reference Number NCS/ENF/ABJ/058/S.24, was titled; “Closure of North Central Borders.”

LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT

It reads: “In line with Circular EII/Circular No. 020. (Border Drill Operational Team), you are directed to ensure the total closure of all borders under your purview, with effect from today, 20th of August, 2019.

“The closure is to ensure that Goods and Services are not traded/moved through the said borders.

“Ensure strict compliance.”

WazobiaReporters had reported today, that thousands of travellers coming to Nigeria from neighbouring West African countries of Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana were still stranded at Seme and Idiroko Borders owing to the Federal Government’s closure of the border.

Some traders from Benin Republic who had come to Nigeria also got stranded at the border.

Seme and Idiroko borders link Nigeria with some neighbouring West African countries.

Joseph Attah, spokesman of the Nigeria Customs Service, had said the service issued an alert to inform the public of the closure in order to conduct a border security exercise.

The statement issued on Tuesday, by the Customs read; “As part of measures to secure Nigeria’s land and maritime borders, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) as well as the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security and intelligence agencies will be conducting a joint border security exercise, codenamed “EX-SWIFT RESPONSE”.

“The joint exercise is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and will take place in 4 geopolitical zones, namely; South-South, South-West, North-Central and North-West. It is expected that the exercise will promote interagency cooperation and increase preparedness to address trans-border security challenges such as terrorism, armed banditry, smuggling, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, amongst others.

“The exercise will also involve the movement of personnel, vehicles and equipment within the affected parts of the country. Therefore, we call on members of the public not to panic and should continue to engage in their normal duties. The overall objective is to ensure a peaceful and secured country in the interest of our National Security.”