The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has once again reaffirmed its commitment to secure border governance and facilitate transit trade, following the Federal Government’s approval to reopen the Tsamiya Border Corridor. This was made known during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement held last Saturday at the Government House, Kebbi State.
The engagement, which brought together security agencies, traditional leaders, economic operators, and international customs representatives, provided a strategic platform to examine practical measures to strengthen Nigeria’s northwest border architecture while ensuring that legitimate trade flows seamlessly under strict compliance protocols.
The reopening of the corridor underscores the Service’s ongoing drive to balance national security priorities with trade facilitation objectives, particularly along critical land routes and the River Niger corridor that connects Nigeria with neighbouring countries.
Speaking during the engagement, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, cautioned that the reopening of the Tsamiya Border Route must not jeopardise the security of Kebbi and the nation at large.
He said: “The President has mandated us to allow trucks to transit to Niger Republic through Benin Republic and Kebbi. “We are deploying modern technology to ensure that goods meant for specific destinations are not diverted.” he said.
“The customs and the neighboring republics will work closely with counterparts to strengthen border security through the deployment of sophisticated information and communication technology (ICT) for effective monitoring movement of goods and people.”
The customs boss commended President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the reopening of Benin Republic Border through Tsamiya in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi for transit purposes.
The C-G also warned that economic operators who violated transit regulations would face stiff sanctions, noting that non-compliance could create non-tariff barriers and undermine trust between countries.
He noted that security threats were often coordinated by actors involved in narcotics, smuggling and arms trafficking, stressing the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration.
He emphasised the importance of structured inter-agency and cross-border collaboration in addressing evolving transit trade and security challenges.
According to the CGC, “Criminal elements operate through cooperation, shared resources, and organised networks. This makes it imperative for security agencies to work together in a coordinated manner to effectively counter such threats.”
He noted that the Service is actively engaging customs authorities from the Niger Republic and the Republic of Benin, supported by the political will of President Bola Tinubu and President Patrice Talon, to resolve longstanding transit trade issues through coordinated Customs-to-Customs cooperation.
“Diversion of goods in transit is not peculiar to Nigeria; it is a cross-border challenge that requires coordinated enforcement, clear guidelines, and strict compliance to ensure that goods reach their intended destinations,” Adeniyi stated.
The CGC explained that the Tsamiya Corridor will operate under enhanced monitoring driven by ICT interconnectivity systems, strengthened profiling of licensed customs agents, and close surveillance of goods in transit. He warned that any truck found outside the approved route will be seized, and offenders prosecuted in line with transit regulations, referencing recent prosecutions as evidence of the Service’s firm enforcement approach.
He commended the Kebbi State Government for fostering a coordinated security environment. He acknowledged the contributions of retired senior customs officers from the state to the development of the Service and national security.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, highlighted the state’s commitment to supporting Customs and other security agencies by providing logistics, infrastructure, and community engagement in border areas.
“The Kebbi State Government remains committed to prioritising security and creating an enabling environment for security agencies to operate effectively, while ensuring that border communities benefit from sustained development,” the Governor said.
The stakeholders’ engagement attracted Immediate Pass Governor of Kebbi State and Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu, another former Governor in person of Usman Dakingari, customs officials from the Republic of Benin, representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, and key economic operators, all expressing confidence that the renewed collaboration will enhance border security, strengthen regional trade, and position Kebbi State as a strategic hub for lawful economic activities.
