The Acting Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, yesterday embarked on a marathon assessment visit to Nigeria Customs Service border posts in some states including Sokoto and Katsina to ensure this country’s border with Niger is 100 per cent shut down as directed recently by the Chairman of ECOWAS and Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Adeniyi, who began the unscheduled visit at Illela in Sokoto State and arrived at the Customs Border Station, Magama – Jibia, Katsina State, around 3pm on Friday, said his men will comply with the Federal Government’s directive on total blockade of Niger border with an unwavering mission in mind – to help secure peace, security, trade and good governance across the African sub – region.
The customs boss vowed in a speech at Magama – Jibia that the operatives of the Customs and other sister agencies would keep the Nigeria – Niger border totally closed down as ECOWAS and other world leaders push for the return of democratic governance in the French speaking neighbouring nation.
In an impassioned address made against the background of Tinubu’s recent emergence as ECOWAS Chairman barely weeks after his inauguration as Nigerian President, Adeniyi described Tinubu as not only an asset to ECOWAS’ quest for free movement of goods, trade and persons across the sub – regional body but also a testament to the ECOWAS leader’s enduring commitment to trade and commerce.
The Acting CGC, who addressed members of Jibia stakeholders and journalists after speaking to his men, commended the total blockade of all border posts and other entry or exit points in the affected states until another directive to re – open the border.
The highlights of the visit included presentation of souvenirs to Adeniyi by Jibia stakeholders and officials of the Customs service. He was accompanied on the tour by top brass of the service, including the Katsina Customs Area Comptroller, Mohammed Nurudeen Musa.
# # # # # # # #