The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale-Adeniyi, has warned that the reopening of the Tsamiya Border Route must not be allowed to jeopardise the security of Kebbi State or Nigeria as a whole.
Adewale-Adeniyi issued the caution on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi during a stakeholders’ meeting attended by representatives of Benin and Niger republics, security agencies and trade operators.
“We must ensure that we do not jeopardise the security of Kebbi and the nation at large,” the Customs boss said.
He disclosed that Nigeria Customs, in collaboration with neighbouring countries, would strengthen border security through the deployment of sophisticated information and communication technology (ICT) to effectively monitor the movement of goods and people across the corridor.
The Comptroller-General commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the reopening of the Benin Republic border through Tsamiya in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State for transit purposes. He also expressed appreciation to Governor Nasir Idris for facilitating the stakeholders’ engagement and for the state government’s readiness to support the creation of a transit corridor.
According to Adewale-Adeniyi, the initiative is designed to ease transit bottlenecks, stimulate economic activities in border communities and strengthen national security.
“The President has mandated us to allow trucks to transit to Niger Republic through Benin Republic and Kebbi,” he said. “We are deploying modern technology 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 could create non-tariff barriers and erode trust between neighbouring countries.
The Customs boss also identified narcotics trafficking, smuggling and arms proliferation as major cross-border security threats, underscoring the need for enhanced inter-agency collaboration.
“To stay ahead of criminals, we must be even more coordinated,” he said, noting that Kebbi State already operates one of the most effective inter-agency security frameworks, supported by logistics assistance from the state government.
Adewale-Adeniyi disclosed that trucks transiting through the corridor would pay a token fee for infrastructure maintenance, particularly along the Tsamiya Corridor in Bagudo LGA. He added that Customs would streamline documentation processes and remove bottlenecks along major transit routes, including the Illela–Sokoto–Kamba–Niger Republic corridor, as well as routes linking Apapa ports and Nigerian airports to neighbouring countries.
He said the bilateral engagement would deepen cooperation on transit trade, enhance intelligence sharing, address border security challenges and ensure that legitimate trade contributes optimally to economic growth.
Describing Kebbi as strategically vital to Nigeria’s security architecture, Adewale-Adeniyi said the state’s historical influence extended beyond Nigeria into Benin and Niger republics.
“When we speak of Kebbi, we reference the historic Gwandu Emirate whose influence cuts across borders. There is a saying that when Kebbi coughs, the entire country sneezes,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Nasir Idris assured that the state was fully prepared to partner with the Federal Government to guarantee smooth and secure transit operations.
“We are not surprised by this approval because when Mr President makes a commitment, he follows through,” the governor said. “We will provide the necessary social amenities, ensure infrastructure development and make roads accessible.”
He commended Adewale-Adeniyi’s leadership and thanked the Benin Republic delegation for their cooperation.
Also speaking, the Director of Legislation, Customs Administration of Benin Republic, Immora Idrisu, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Government, describing the engagement as evidence that neighbouring countries could work together to facilitate trade.
“We are pleased with the approval to allow border transit through Tsamiya in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi,” he said.
The Kebbi Area Controller of Customs, Mahmoud Ibrahim, described Governor Idris as a people-oriented leader, noting that his presence sent a strong signal to border communities on the importance of legal trade.
Earlier, the Chairman of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Kebbi, Alhaji Muhammad Na-Hali, said the reopening of the route would boost revenue, create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
“This move demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to employment generation and revenue growth,” he said, adding that NAGAFF fully supports the initiative.
