Nigeria, Niger Customs Move to Clear Transit Bottlenecks, Strengthen Border Security

James Emejo in Abuja

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, yesterday disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the provision of safe corridors and passage to ease the movement of loaded trucks awaiting clearance to the Republic of Niger.

Adeniyi said the move formed part of efforts to remove transit bottlenecks and strengthen cross-border trade.

He spoke during a high-level bilateral meeting between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Niger Republic Customs Administration, led by its Director-General, Muhammadu Yaqouba, at the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.

Adeniyi explained that the initiative aimed to facilitate the movement of transit cargo, particularly goods from Apapa ports and Nigerian airports, destined for neighbouring countries, while ensuring that national security and economic interests are not compromised.

He assured that such cargoes would continue to be processed and moved within 48 hours, adding that strict measures have been put in place to prevent diversion of transit goods, with stiff sanctions awaiting economic operators who violate transit regulations.

According to him, non-compliance by a few operators creates non-tariff barriers and undermines trust, adding that the service was determined to streamline documentation and remove avoidable bottlenecks along major corridors such as Illela–Sokoto–Kamba–Niger Republic, as well as routes linking Apapa ports and airports to neighbouring countries.

Adeniyi, however, congratulated the Director-General of Niger Republic Customs on his appointment, noting that both administrations share a long history of professional collaboration through World Customs Organisation (WCO) platforms and bilateral engagements.

He said, “Cooperation between the two Customs services is shaped not only by shared borders but also by international obligations, particularly Nigeria’s responsibilities under Articles 124 to 132 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantee landlocked countries access to the sea.”

He acknowledged the operational challenges faced by landlocked nations, explaining that dependence on neighbouring ports and infrastructure often increases transaction costs and affects competitiveness.

He said, “The Nigeria Customs Service has, over the years, remained committed to facilitating trade for our landlocked neighbours, including the Republic of Niger. This commitment will be sustained irrespective of political differences, because trade, security and regional stability are interconnected.”

The CGC described the engagement as the beginning of a renewed phase of cooperation, stressing that sustained follow-up actions would help redefine operational modalities, reduce costs, increase trade volumes and make the corridor more attractive to transport operators.

Earlier, Yaqouba, described the visit as a working engagement between two professional Customs administrations bound by shared responsibilities.

He thanked the Nigeria Customs Service for the warm reception accorded to him and his delegation, noting that it reflected the longstanding fraternity between both countries and their Customs institutions.

According to him, the visit was necessitated by two significant challenges: the prolonged blockage of trucks transiting from the Republic of Benin to the Niger Republic and prevailing security concerns across the region.

He said, “We face common security challenges, particularly terrorism and banditry, and engagements like this provide an opportunity to find lasting solutions through cooperation and coordination.”

He disclosed that the Niger Republic had intensified efforts since 2024 to tackle terrorism, including the launch of Operation Saran Kasa, a coordinated initiative involving all national security agencies, which has recorded notable success.

As part of the operation, he said scanners have been deployed to inspect all goods entering the Niger Republic, stressing that Customs administrations play a critical role in combating terrorism, arms trafficking, and cross-border criminality.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Major-General Garba Laka, congratulated DG Yaqouba on his appointment and extended condolences to the Government and people of Niger over the recent terrorist attack near Niamey Airport.

He described the incident as painful, sympathised with the families of the fallen soldiers, and reaffirmed the shared resolve of Nigeria and Niger to prevent a recurrence.

Laka stressed that Nigeria and Niger share more than borders, describing the two countries as one people with deep historical, cultural and familial ties, particularly in border communities.

He said, “Insecurity in any part of the Sahel affects all of us. Arms trafficking, drug smuggling and the concealment of ammunition in cargo vehicles remain major threats that require coordinated and sustained action.”

He disclosed that the federal government places high priority on Niger-related matters, including trade, energy supply and security, noting that requests from Niger, especially on petroleum products and gas, receive prompt attention at the highest level.

He further advocated the revival of bilateral security frameworks, such as cross-border right-of-pursuit arrangements, and called for joint Nigeria–Niger operations and sustained inter-agency collaboration, while expressing confidence that the meeting’s outcomes would translate into concrete actions.