The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has strengthened its collaboration with Benin Republic Customs through a Joint Border Management stakeholders’ engagement aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and addressing impediments along the Seme-Krake border corridor.
A meeting which held at the Seme Border on Tuesday, brought together officials from both nations’ Customs services, security agencies, and representatives of the business community. It marked the second in a series of strategic engagements convened under the leadership of Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the Customs Area Controller, Seme Command.
In his address, Comptroller Adenuga emphasized the strategic importance of the Seme-Krake border to trade within the West African sub-region and its critical role in advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, the meeting was convened in line with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, mandating all area commands to identify and eliminate obstacles hindering the free flow of legitimate trade in accordance with ECOWAS protocols on the free movement of goods and persons.
“The border holds enormous economic potential capable of benefitting citizens and traders from both countries that share deep historical, cultural, and trade ties dating back to the pre-independence era,” Adenuga said.
He warned that any officer or non-government actor found obstructing the movement of duly cleared goods or travelers would be arrested and prosecuted. The Customs boss further urged traders and travelers to report any complaints directly to his office or through the Public Relations Officer for swift resolution.
Adenuga also announced that truck examinations would henceforth be conducted at the designated examination bay to streamline import processes from Benin Republic into Nigeria.
The engagement also addressed key issues such as the timely removal of truck trackers to ensure quicker movement of goods, reduction of unnecessary checkpoints, prevention of corrupt practices, and the promotion of continuous dialogue as a means to sustainable border cooperation.
On space management, Comptroller Adenuga cautioned against the use of the border as a parking or storage zone, stressing that it is strictly a transit area meant to facilitate trade flow.
In his remarks, the Head of Benin Customs at Krake Border, Lt. Col. Arnaud Midgrokan—who also serves as Co-Chair of the Joint Border Post (JBP)—commended Comptroller Adenuga for the initiative. He expressed optimism that the engagement would pave the way for practical solutions to existing challenges.
Midgrokan further pledged continued collaboration with his Nigerian counterpart to foster lawful cross-border trade and uphold the integrity of agreements between both nations.
The meeting was attended by the representative of the Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Benin Republic, top security officials, and business stakeholders from both sides of the border.
