By BANNERNEWS Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reopening of the Tsamiya border between Nigeria and Benin Republic in Kebbi State, paving the way for the movement of about 2,000 trucks loaded with assorted goods into the country.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Saturday during a stakeholders’ engagement in Birnin Kebbi.
Adeniyi said the decision followed strong assurances from the Benin Republic government and Nigeria’s security agencies that the reopening would not pose any threat to national security.
According to him, Kebbi State has been designated as a strategic transit point, with commitments from the Federal Government, the Kebbi State Government and Benin Republic authorities to ensure strict compliance with transit regulations.
He said Customs would deploy technology to monitor all trucks moving through the corridor, warning that any vehicle found outside the approved route would be seized.
“The essence of the transit arrangement is to facilitate legitimate trade between Nigeria and Benin Republic without compromising national security or the economy,” the Customs boss said.
Adeniyi described Kebbi as critical to Customs operations due to its borders with Niger and Benin Republics and its access to the River Niger, stressing that security cooperation with stakeholders was key to curbing smuggling and other cross-border crimes.
Also speaking, a Benin Republic official, Immora Idrisu, commended the Nigerian government for the decision, saying both countries had agreed to secure the trade corridor to ensure smooth commercial activities.
In his response, Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said the state was ready to provide logistical and infrastructural support, noting that the reopening would boost trade, employment and economic activities along the border communities.
