Adewale Adeniyi, the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, has taken the step to close the Nigeria-Niger Republic border at Illela, located in Sokoto state.
A total of seven states in northern Nigeria, including Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno, share a border spanning 1,608 kilometres with five regions in the Niger Republic.
This move is a direct result of President Bola Tinubu’s directive concerning the closure of the Ilela Border in Sokoto state. The purpose of this directive is to take a stance against the military junta in the Niger Republic.
The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has reported on Twitter that the Acting Customs CG personally oversaw the closure procedure.
It read, “The Ag Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service Bashir Adewale Adeniyi arrived at the Illela border in Sokoto State to reinforce the Presidential directives on Border closure due to the coup in Niger Republic.
“There is also a working visit to border stations in the country.”
News surfaced that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decided to impose sanctions on the Niger Republic following a coup where presidential guards ousted Mohamed Bazoum and declared Abdrahmane Tchiani as the new president.
In response to the coup, the regional organization for West Africa has mandated the freezing of all enterprises and parastatals from the Niger Republic held in commercial banks across all member states of ECOWAS.
“Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS and Niger. Institution of ECOWAS no-flight zone for all commercial flights to and fro Niger. Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger.
“Freeze all service transactions including energy transactions. Freeze assets of Niger Republic in all ECOWAS Central banks. Freeze all Niger State and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks.
“Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions. Impose travel bans on the military officials and their families involved in the coup attempt including anyone who accepts to take a position in the military government.”
