Bandits use less illegal weapons since border closure ― Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the partial closure of the nation’s land borders has led to a decline in bandits’ use of weapons and ammunition that were brought into the country illegally.

He made the observation when he received President Roch Marc Christian Kabore of Burkina Faso at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday.

“Our major problem is security, the inflow of weapons, ammunition, and drugs. We have witnessed a decline in banditry using such weapons since the partial closure of the border. Also, our farmers are now able to sell their rice since we stopped the inflow of foreign rice, usually dumped in the country,’’ he said.

He said the issue of partial closure of Nigeria’s land border to goods from neighbouring countries would be determined by the report of a tripartite committee made up of Nigeria, Benin, and the Niger Republic.

The president affirmed that Nigeria’s decision to partially close the border was purely to safeguard national security.

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A statement issued by Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), explained that the President of Burkina Faso is the Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee mandated to resolve the issue of border closure.

President Buhari said Nigeria was very much mindful of the concerns of neighbouring countries on the issue, assuring that his administration will find an early and enduring solution.

“I will work as fast as I can as soon as I receive the report,’’ the President added.

Earlier, the President of Burkina Faso told President Buhari that he came on the visit, following the mandate of ECOWAS to resolve the issues that culminated in the partial closure of the border, adding that some of the challenges had been discussed, and agreed on, urging the Nigerian leader to reconsider the position of the country.