No fewer than 2,000 trucks previously stranded at Nigeria’s borders with the Republics of Benin and Niger have begun movement following the reopening of the Kamba and Tsamiya border posts in Kebbi State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the development follows a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at restoring cross-border trade and easing the movement of legitimate goods after months of restrictions. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
The Kebbi Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Mahmoud Matawalle-Ibrahim, officially declared the borders open to trucks from Benin and Niger on Monday at Kamba, in Dandi Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, the reopening covers border routes in Dandi and Bagudo Local Government Areas and is intended to revive lawful trade activities disrupted by earlier security concerns.
“The reopening of the borders in Dandi and Bagudo Local Government Areas is to facilitate the movement of legitimate goods and restore cross-border trade with the Republics of Benin and Niger after months of closure,” Matawalle-Ibrahim said.
He explained that the exercise was carried out with presidential approval to ensure the smooth transit of goods from the Tsamiya border to Niger Republic through the Kamba corridor.
The customs controller confirmed that many of the trucks earlier trapped at the Benin border had already been cleared at Tsamiya and were now moving towards Tunga Jado, a border town in Niger Republic, through Kamba.
He added that the reopening would not only boost commercial activities but also enhance collaboration on security between Nigeria and its neighbouring countries
Reacting to the development, an official of the Niger Republic, Commander Maigiro Yahaya-Tubil, described the decision as a welcome relief for transporters and traders.
“We are happy that our trucks, which were stranded for months, can now move freely through Nigeria to their destinations,” he said.
Similarly, the District Head of Kamba, Alhaji Muhammed Sarkin-Shikon-Kamba, said the reopening would bring economic relief to border communities whose livelihoods were disrupted by the prolonged closure.
“This decision will restore economic activities in our communities and improve the livelihoods of our people. We sincerely appreciate the Federal Government,” he said.