Custom Boss Ali Explains Why Nigeria's Border Remain Closed
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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.
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.
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