FG Approves Re-Opening 4 Additional Land Borders

• The Federal Government has approved the reopening of Idiroko and 3 additional land borders shut in August 2019 as part of efforts to curtail smuggling and boost local production of rice

• “Idiroko border post, Ogun State (South-West Zone); Jibiya border post, Katsina State (North-West Zone); Kamba border post, Kebbi State (North-West Zone); and Ikom border post, Cross River State (South-South Zone) were the borders opened

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday announced the reopening of four additional land borders across the country.

The move followed President Muhammadu Buhari’s December 16, 2020 directive which granted approval for a phased reopening of the land borders including Mfum, Seme, Illela and Maigatari.

However, the customs in a circular issued by the Deputy Comptroller-General (EI&I), EI Edorhe, dated April 22, 2022, further announced that the Idiroko border post in Ogun State,  Jibiya in Katsina, Kamba in Kebbi and Ikom in Cross River had all been approved for immediate reopening.

The statement also directed customs formations and joint border patrol teams to take note and ensure that the proper manning takes place in compliance with extant operational guidelines.

The federal government had in March 2020 announced the total closure of all land borders that were hitherto partially closed in order contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF and Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Boss Mustapha, had further announced measures approved by the government to protect the civil servants.

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Earlier in 2018, the federal government had also approved the closure of the borders with its neighbours to check rice smuggling into the country.

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