President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday ordered the immediate reopening of the Samiya International Border in Kebbi State with the Republic of Benin.

The directive was disclosed in Birnin Kebbi when the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, paid a one-day official visit to the Nigeria Customs Service Area Command in the Kebbi State capital.

Addressing officers and men of the command, Adeniyi warned them against compromising the Federal Government’s decision by conniving with smugglers or other non-state actors to undermine government objectives.

He said the initiative would address transit bottlenecks, safeguard national security and guarantee a 48-hour cargo clearance window through the deployment of cutting-edge technology to prevent the diversion of goods.

According to him, President Tinubu has given Customs the mandate to allow trucks to transit to the Niger Republic through the Benin Republic and Kebbi State, adding that modern technology is being deployed to ensure that goods meant for specific destinations are not diverted.

He warned that economic operators who violate transit regulations would face stiff sanctions, stressing that non-compliance would create non-tariff barriers and undermine trust between neighbouring countries.

The Customs boss, who received a rousing welcome from officers and men of the Kebbi Area Command, was accompanied by a delegation from the Benin Republic Customs Service, led by Mr Imura Idirisou, as well as other officials.

Tribune