Customs reopen Kebbi border, warn against smuggling.

Customs reopen Kebbi border, warn against smuggling.

The Nigeria Customs Service has reopened the international border in Kamba town, Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State for the resumption of cross-border to promote international trading between Nigeria and the neighbouring Niger and Benin Republics.

The Federal Government had last week announced the decision to reopen the nation’s border with the Benin Republic after a seven-month closure.

The decision followed the lifting of the ban imposed on Niger Republic by the Economic Community of West African States following the takeover of power by the military in the country.

The spokesperson for the Kebbi Area Command of the NCS, Mohammed Tajuddeen-Salisu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

“The newly appointed Customs Area Comptroller, Kebbi Command, Mr. Iheanacho Ernest-Ojike, on Friday, reopened the border for international trade as directed by the Comptroller-General of the Customs, Mr. Bashir Adewale-Adeniyi,” the spokesman said.

The statement quoted the command’s comptroller, Ernest-Ojike, as saying the border reopening was aimed at paving the way for legitimate trade that would impact positively on nation building.

“This is not a permission for importation of prohibited items that would ransack the economy and compromise national security,” he said.

“The officers and men of the command are ever-ready to facilitate legitimate trade and act within the ambit of the law to simplify trade across Kamba border,” Ernest-Ojike said.

He said there would be no problems “as long as stakeholders import what is permitted by Customs extant laws, make proper declaration and pay appropriate duties to the Federal Government coffers.”

The District Head of Kamba, Alhaji Mamuda Fana, commended the effort of the Federal Government, saying it was a new ray of hope for his people who had an interest in cross-border businesses, and even small-scale business owners domiciled in the area.

“I promise the Federal Government and the NCS that my people will be cautioned on illegitimate trade and the advantage of reopening of the border to the country,” he promised.