The Federal Government on Monday announced the complete closure of Nigeria’s land borders and a total ban on all movement of goods in and out of the country.
The Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd), made the announcement at a joint press briefing on joint border patrol codenamed “EX-SWIFT RESPONSE,” in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking at the briefing, Col Ali said all import and export of goods from Nigeria’s land borders have been banned until there is an agreement with neighbouring countries on the kind of goods that should enter and exit Nigeria.
While providing further details, the Customs boss stated that all goods must only enter through the legitimate air and seaports where they can undergo thorough scanning and certified fit for consumption.
According to him: “We hope that by the time we get to the end of this exercise, we would have exactly between us and our neighbours agree on the type of goods that should enter and exit our country.
“For now, all goods, whether illicit or non-illicit, are banned from going and coming into Nigeria. Let me add that for the avoidance of doubt that we included all goods because all goods can equally come through our seaports.
“For that reason, we have deemed it necessary for now that importers of such goods should go through our controlled borders where we have scanners to verify the kind of goods and how healthy to our people can be conducted.”
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