The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the closure of all land borders linking Nigeria with the Niger Republic due to the recent coup d’état by military officers.
NCS acting comptroller-general, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi made the announcement on Friday, August 4 during a visit to the Jibia border in Katsina.
He said the decision for the total blockage of the borders was to comply with the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS)’s directive to suspend the movement of cargo until further notice.
Adewale also said that as part of measures to ensure 100 per cent compliance, they will sensitise the border communities.
The acting comptroller-general said the decision was taken in the interest of peace and stability between the two countries, adding that he had visited the deputy governor of Katsina state regarding the issue of the sensitisation.
CorrectNG reported earlier that President Bola Tinubu had written to the Nigerian Senate seeking approval for military action and other sanctions against the military junta in Niger Republic.
Military officers seized power from Niger’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.
Tinubu, who’s the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States had on Sunday met with some fellow ECOWAS leaders to discuss appropriate sanctions against coup plotters or ways to restore democracy in Niger.
The letter to the National Assembly read; “Political situation in Niger.
“Following the unfortunate political situation in the Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of its President, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved to seek the return of the democratically elected govt. in a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communique.
“Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise. Cutting off Electricity supply to the Niger Republic.
”Mobilizing international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique. Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic.
“Blockade of goods in transit to Niger especially from Lagos and eastern seaports. Embarking on sensitization of Nigerians and Nigerians on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media.
“Military build-up and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant”.
