The Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Monday, October 30, 2023, impounded a trailer load of banana said to be heading for Niger Republic, noting that the seizure is in keeping with the spirit of border closure against Niger Republic and its military junta by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The NCS informed that the border closure against Niamey is fully in place and urged Nigerians to comply with the closure order, part of which restricts vehicular movement and transportation of goods, including food items.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Musa Omale disclosed that the seizure was a result of the border closure, even as he explained that since the closure additional layers of checks have been established to beef up surveillance to ensure strict compliance with the orders of the federal government.
He explained that the one thousand eight hundred, 1,800 cartons of foreign banana coming from Ghana and bound for Niger Republic has a Duty Paid Value of N17,576,392.00.
According to a statement made available by the Command PRO, Abubakar HT, the customs area controller reminded the general public that the border closure with Niger Republic subsists, even as he appealed to the general public for show understanding and exercise patience until the matter is resolved.
The statement reads: “You are welcome to this significant press briefing aimed at keeping the Public abreast with the level of implementation of the Border Closure under the Command.
“As you are aware, on the 30th of July, 2023, the Federal Government directed the closure of all Border Stations with the Niger Republic consequent to the Coup by the Niger Military Junta.
The Service immediately complied with the directive; The Comptroller General of Customs was on ground to ensure full scale implementation. The Command through additional layer of Enforcement Operations and intelligence gathering recorded number of interceptions.
“Among them include One thousand Eight hundred (1,800)cartons of foreign Banana from Ghana bound for Niger Republic, the Duty Paid Value of the Banana stand at N17,576,392.00”, adding:
This is to further remind the general public that the Border closure with Niger Republic still subsists. We implore the public to exercise patience as we hope for an amicable resolution of the Niger Crises.
