As the Nigerian government continues to keep an eye on the political situation in the Niger Republic, Bashir Adeniyi, the acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has cautioned his officers in Ogun State to be cautious at Nigeria's borders with Benin Republic, Cameron, and other countries.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, President Bola Tinubu ordered the closing of the Nigeria-Niger border on June 26 as a result of a military coup in the Niger Republic.
This was one of the steps taken to pressure the military dictatorship in the West African nation to reinstate the rule of law.
The head of customs further ordered that any cargo travelling through Nigerian territory that is destined for the Niger Republic should be stopped.
During a working visit to the NCS's Ogun Area 1 Command's headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State, Mr. Adeniyi addressed his officers and NCS personnel.
He emphasized that anybody attempting to smuggle weapons into the Niger Republic may look into land borders similar to those of the Benin Republic.
In order to protect Nigeria's national security, he urged border customs officers to be attentive and on guard.
"We are all aware of the situation in the Republic of Niger, our northern neighbor. We are actively monitoring the situation in Niger in accordance with the directive from President Bola Tinubu, who also serves as our president and the chairman of the ECOWAS authorities of heads of state. One of the decisions made in the heads of state's wisdom is the closing of our borders with Niger.
"I visited some of those borders on business last week, and I can confirm that the implementation of that measure there is 100%. People who want to sneak goods into that country may want to look into openings in other borders if that happens.
"Due to this, it is crucial that you exercise extreme caution. Anywhere there are boundaries, there may be a compromise or an attempt to enter Niger by a route that is not necessarily typical for them. For the time being, you must stop any transit products that are entering Niger everywhere you see them.
"Any transit cargo passing through the Nigerian customs territory and bound for the Niger Republic should be stopped. We must also be extremely careful throughout this period. since the state's adversaries are still at work. Those still at work who are determined to destabilize the nation.
"You remember the instances from about two weeks ago, when some individuals used some of the blueprints we have here to bring ammunition across. This serves as a timely reminder that you cannot afford to let up at any time. You must exercise complete awareness and attentiveness at all times.
"You must always be prepared. You must develop extremely reliable and practical intelligence.