Checks by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that there has been a significant reduction in the number of checkpoints manned by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) along the Seme-Krake border corridor, signaling an ongoing effort to ease trade facilitation and enhance security cooperation among agencies.
Our correspondent, who visited the Seme-Krake border; a major border between Nigerian and Benon Republic, last week, observed a significant decline in checkpoints along the route. A headcount of about 30 checkpoints were seen along the Badagry Roundabout to Seme-Krake Border as against over 50 checkpoints in past months.
Specifically, from Badagry Roundabout to Gbaji Bridge, about five checkpoints were seen, while between Gbaji Bridge and the Seme-Krake border, approximately 25 checkpoints were identified, predominantly manned by Police and Immigration officers, with only a few Customs posts.
The long stretch of Badagry Roundabout to Mile Two had the highest number of checkpoints with only about six manned by NCS patrol team out of over 50 checkpoints.
Recall that to tackle alleged extortion and restore order along the Seme border corridor, security stakeholders recently approved the establishment of only four checkpoints. This decision was made during a high-level security meeting at the Zone 2 Command Headquarters in Onikan, Lagos. The meeting was chaired by the Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade.
The meeting included representatives from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Police Force.
The security chiefs during the meeting had emphasized the importance of reducing the excessive number of checkpoints, noting that the streamlined approach would bolster security and support economic activities along the border corridor. The meeting subsequently agreed that the designated checkpoints shall be the ones located at Seme, Gbaji, Apa, and Agbara.
Speaking with Shipping Position Daily last week, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Seme Command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, confirmed recent engagements with key stakeholders, including traditional rulers and security agencies, to strengthen cooperation and reduce inter-agency rivalry.
Dr Oramulogo further noted that during the meeting, agencies agreed to identify and address key challenges, including the duplication of checkpoints, which has long been a concern for traders and transporters along the corridor.
The Seme CAC promised that in coming days, the remaining checkpoints will be reduced drastically while emphasizing that the renewed synergy among security agencies has improved intelligence sharing and coordination, reinforcing the commitment to national security, economic regulation, and anti-smuggling efforts.
“I have engaged with key stakeholders to reinforce security measures and promote seamless trade. Just two days ago, I convened a meeting with all heads of security agencies in Seme. I was informed that such a meeting had not taken place in about a year, and I felt there was a need for it to minimize security rivalry.
“In the coming days, you will see the implementation of the issues discussed. We agreed to work together and correct many things that were wrong, such as the excessive number of checkpoints. We are already taking steps to reduce them” Dr Oramulogo added.
Confirming the reduction in checkpoints, a freight forwarder at Seme border and Board of Trustees Secretary of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders Nigeria (AREFFN) Mr. Innocent Elum attributed the change to the proactive measures of the new Customs Area Controller.
According to Elum, the reduction was not publicly announced, but noticeable changes have occurred since the new controller took over.
“The checkpoints have reduced. I think the new controller has worked on that and removed some of the checkpoints that were considered not too appropriate. So, it’s not about the meeting of yesterday (Thursday). It’s been like that for a while now. No, it was not announced.
“What he did, we don’t know, but I’m sure he did something. Because when he came in, he made some reshuffles, and within a short while, we noticed that the checkpoints had reduced. I think the man is the type who doesn’t talk too much but takes action” Elum noted.
