Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said Nigeria is not at war with Niger Republic and that the border closure being implemented is in line with directive from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Mr Adeniyi, who visited Illela border community in Sokoto State on Friday to ascertain the level of compliance with the directive to suspend trading activities with Niger following an unconstitutional overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum expressed delight at the cooperation given by the community to the closure.
Adeniyi said “My mission here is to restate the directives of President Bola Tinubu, being not only the Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“As we are aware one of the Chairman’s responsibility is to promote trade between members of ECOWAS.
“But we all know that trade cannot happen in an environment where there is no peace.
“So the intention of government is to ensure that we leverage perfectly on the nexus between trade and security,” he said.
“This development initiated the ECOWAS Heads of States decision to cease trade with our neighbours, the Republic of Niger.
“However, there are other measures that are ongoing, the diplomatic front, there are engagement going on with the authority of Niger to ensure the crisis is peacefully resolved,” he added.
Adeniyi further stated that the action is not only restricted to Illela border but all other areas where the Niger Republic is bordering the country.
“So what we are saying is that the closure will be a temporary thing until we have final resolution of the crisis in Niger Republic.
“But certainly we are not at war with Niger Republic and no such declaration has been made,” he said.
