The acting Comptroller General of Customs, CG Bashir Adeniyi, has confirmed that the temporary closure of Nigeria – Niger Republic border was based on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking while addressing residents of the community at Illela on Friday, the Acting CG assure that the closure was for a temporary period.
He said the decision to close it was reached to avert any crisis that may arise in the country due to what is happening in the Republic of Niger over a change of leadership.
He said the decision was a result of the commitment of ECOWAS to promote unity among ECOWAS nations.
“The decision to close the border was taken to promote the unity of the ECOWAS nation, and you see the closure of the border.
“Mr President is an apostle of regional trade, and as the current chairman of ECOWAS, it is his duty to promote regional trade within the ECOWAS country
“It was resolved that every border town in Africa that shares a border with the Niger Republic, including Nigeria, Ghana, and others, were shut down for now.
“We must be aware that trade can not happen in an environment where there is no peace, and in this case, we have to leverage between trade and security.
“The situation in our neighbour country means trade cannot thrive for now, and this is why the leadership of ECOWAS decided to suspend trade with the Niger Republic until normalcy is returned,” he said”
He said the closure of the Illela border is not the only one in the country, saying it also affects all land borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, like Jibya and others.
He further said the intention of the country is first to guarantee peace before the issue of trade will be discussed between the two nations
The acting Custom CG, however, commend the people of the community for their support of the government’s decision on the closure of the border.
Speaking on behalf of the community leader, the district Head of Illela Buhari Tukur assured that his people will cooperate with the decision of the government to ensure peace and tranquility.