Nigeria Customs awaits order to reopen Illela border

The Nigeria Customs has assured stakeholders at the Illela border that all is set for the reopening of the border pending the last order from higher authorities following the lifting of some sanctions on neighbouring Niger Republic.

The Area Controller of the Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, Comptroller Kamal Mohammed, disclosed this at the border station during a working visit, announcing that with the lifting of ECOWAS sanctions on the Niger Republic and subsequent restoration of power supply to the country, the reopening of the border will follow sooner than later.

Accompanied by members of his management team, the Comptroller appealed to members of the border community to remain calm and continue to be law-abiding as all government policies are aimed at improving the well-being of the citizens. 

He had earlier visited the traditional rulers of Illela, Sarki Rafin Illela where he met with leaders of various teacher’s groups and community leaders who took turns to appeal to the government for intervention because of the harsh economic realities in the country.

Business Post had reported that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under the current leadership of President Bola Tinubu resolved to lift some sanctions on the trio of Niger Republic, Mali, and Guinea, following its extraordinary summit on the peace, political, and security situation in the ECOWAS sub-region in Abuja on February 24.

Following the military coup in Niger Republic on July 26, 2023, which toppled President Mohamed Bazoum, ECOWAS imposed several sanctions on the country including border closure.

Some of the sanctions lifted include the closure of land and air borders between all ECOWAS countries and Niger Republic; no flight zone to all commercial flights to and from the Niger Republic, suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger Republic and freezing of all service transactions including utility services, among others.