Custom Boss Ali Explains Why Nigeria's Border Remain Closed

Head of Nigeria’s Custom, Retired Colonel, Hamid Ali, says Nigeria’s borders will remain closed until the country and its neighbours agree on existing ECOWAS protocol on movement.   Hamid Ali Source : guardian.ng The Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), made the statement at Maigatari/Niger border, Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa while fielding questions from newsmen. When asked about the consequences of closing the borders, he said “if you check our website, you will see the seizures and interception we’ve made”. He said that by closing the borders, Nigeria was able to completely block the importation of contraband. According to him, through the measure, the importation of foreign rice has stopped and the market for local varieties has risen. When asked about petty traders who are unable to bring goods to the neighbouring countries, Ali said “There must be collateral damage in this kind of situation. Somebody must miss one or two things.” He says the number of petty traders affected was insignificant compared to gains recorded through the operation. Ali adds that Nigeria’s neighbours had no reason allowing cars, cooking oil and other contraband items to pass through their borders into Nigeria. He warned that any officer caught conniving to pave way for the importation of contraband items into the country would have himself to blame.