Customs On Red Alert As Nigeria Bans Transit Cargo To Niger

The Federal Government announcing a ban on transit cargo to neighbouring Niger Republic even as it placed customs officers manning its land borders on red alert.

The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who announced this on Sunday, directed officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) manning the Benin Republic, Cameron and other land borders to maintain a high level of vigilance as a result of the recent closure of Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic.

While addressing officers and men of the NCS during his working visit to the headquarters of the Ogun Area 1 Command of the NCS at Idiroko, Ogun State, the Customs boss called on operatives manning the land borders to wage war against any attempt to jeopardise Nigeria’s national security.

He explained that special attention must be given to transit goods heading to Niger Republic.

He, therefore,  directed that any transit goods through customs territory should be stopped if they are headed to Niger Republic.

You will recall that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the shutting of Nigerian land borders with Niger Republic as part of measures against the military junta in the West African country.

According to Adeniyi, criminals in an attempt to break or smuggle arms into Niger Republic may explore other land borders like that of Benin Republic and Cameroon.

Similarly,  Adeniyi, on Sunday, hinted that the service would seek a review of the ban on the supply of petroleum products within a 20km radius of the country’s border with the Benin Republic.

Adeniyi dropped the hint at Idiroko, Ogun State, during a meeting with the Oniko of Iko Idiroko, Oba John Olakunle Ojo, as part of his working visit to the Ogun Area 1 Command of the NCS.