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Nigeria moves to re-open borders with Benin Republic, signs 12-point communique

Published

2 years ago

July 27, 2023

In line with the Federal Government’s drive to facilitate trade and improve Nigeria’s economy to become globally competitive, a delegation of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), led by the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has paid a working visit to the Republic of Benin and signed a 12-point communique which aims to fully re-open the border between both countries, a statement signed on Tuesday by National Spokesman of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada revealed.

According to the Customs statement, “The Ag. CGC and his delegation visited the Nigerian Embassy on Monday, 24th of July and met with Ambassador Kayode Aluko, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.

“Thereafter, they were received by the Director General of the Customs Administration in Benin, Mr. Alain Hinkati, Customs partners Webb Fontaine and Benin Control.

“They also visited Customs facilities at the port of Cotonou, where the Ag. CGC was taken through the processes and operations at the port.”

During the visit, the two chiefs engaged with stakeholders from both countries and their concerns were identified and effectively considered.

Notable among the concerns is the request to review the possibilities of reopening the border, as well as addressing the issue of administrative charges.

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According to the Ag. CGC, “The visit is to deepen collaborations in mutually positive areas.

“The objective of the visit is for us to review friendship with the Customs administration of Benin and also to deepen collaborations in areas of common interest.”

“I saw the attention that was given to the port of Cotonou, the progress that is being made in reducing clearance time, ensuring that there is no congestion at the Port and, more importantly, using technology to drive operations of the Customs Administration”, he said.

“The attempt which Benin Customs has done towards trade facilitation is something that Nigeria Customs will also be doing particularly to look at where we can use our processes to reduce the cost and time of doing business.”

At the end of the meeting, a joint communique signed by the two delegations read as follows:

“The continuation of efforts to promote the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme and the facilitation of the movement of goods and community products in particular;

“Facilitation of the issue of Laisse passe for a short stay in one of the countries of means of transport registered in the other country;

“The removal of barriers and other obstacles to legitimate trade and the establishment of Customs units when the traffic justifies it;

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“Strict compliance with transit rules;

“Harmonization of the list of products prohibited by the two countries;

“The rapid integration of Nigeria into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), which already includes the Customs Administrations of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo;

“Strengthening the fight against cross-border crime through cooperation, intelligence sharing and the pooling of resources;

“Holding meetings twice a year to discuss matters of common interest;

“The reactivation of the joint committee for monitoring trade and transit relations;

“The revival of consultation frameworks of border customs units with the active participation of the private sector;

“Promoting good relations with border populations, professionalism and tax compliance;

“and securing the international supply chain.”

Meanwhile, the Ag. CGC and his delegation had a private meeting with the President of the Republic of Benin, his Excellency Mr. Patrice TALON, on Sunday, 23rd of July, expressing the desire to initiate a new turning point marked by close collaboration in all areas.

Related Topics:Benin Republic communique Featured Nigeria

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Pipeline explosion hits Bayelsa amid Rivers state emergency declaration

Published

4 minutes ago

March 19, 2025

Trends Admin

Pipeline explosion hits Bayelsa amid Rivers state emergency declaration

A new pipeline explosion has been reported in Gbarain Kingdom, Bayelsa State, coinciding with President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide address where he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The explosion, which occurred late Tuesday, has raised fresh concerns over pipeline safety and oil facility attacks in the Niger Delta. The cause of the blast remains unclear, and authorities are yet to confirm the extent of the damage.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu’s announcement led to the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly due to the ongoing political crisis in the state.

When contacted for a response, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, declined to comment on the suspension.

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“The president has made a declaration, and what do you think we can say? I think it is too hasty to make any comment about it,” Johnson said.

As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator to take charge of the state’s affairs.

The crisis in Rivers intensified due to the power struggle between Governor Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over control of the state’s political structure.

This latest explosion is the third reported incident following the House of Assembly’s impeachment move against Governor Fubara.

Just hours before, another major pipeline explosion hit Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) in Rivers State, following an earlier blast in Bodo, Gokana LGA.

Pipeline explosion hits Bayelsa amid Rivers state emergency declaration

(PoliticsNigeria)

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35-year-old man arrested for sexually assaulting five-year-old

Published

12 minutes ago

March 19, 2025

Trends Admin

Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje

35-year-old man arrested for sexually assaulting five-year-old

The Adamawa State Police command has apprehended a 35-year-old man identified as Abdullaziz Mohammed, for allegedly d#filing a 5-year-old minor, in Mubi North Local Government Area.

In a press statement issued, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Sulieman Yahaya Nguroje, said the suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged by the victim’s father, at the Mubi North Divisional Police Headquarters. According to Nguroje, the victim’s father stated that on the 27th March 2025, the suspect lured his daughter into his grinding engine shop located at Kasuwan Borkono, Mubi North, and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her, knowing fully well that she is a minor.

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Nguroje noted that upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police CP Dankombo Morris, Psc (+), deployed police operatives attached to the Mubi Division for immediate action, where the suspect was arrested. The victim was immediately rushed to the medical facility in Mubi for medical examination and treatment.

Nguroje mentioned that during interrogation the suspect confessed to committing the crime and is taking into custody for more findings.

The commissioner of Police CP Morris Dankombo strongly condemned the act and as he directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yola, for a thorough and diligent investigation to ensure justice is served.

35-year-old man arrested for sexually assaulting five-year-old

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State of Emergency: Soldiers take over Rivers Government House

Published

28 minutes ago

March 19, 2025

Trends Admin

Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.)

State of Emergency: Soldiers take over Rivers Government House

Hours after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, soldiers have taken over the state Government House.

An Armoured Personnel Carrier has also been stationed at the entrance of the Government House along Azikiwe Road in Port Harcourt.

It is not clear if Governor Siminalayi Fubara was still in his official residence when the troops took over the premises around 9 pm.

Tension enveloped Rivers State on Tuesday evening, following President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency to end the lingering political battle involving the state governor, Siminalayo Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The declaration prompted residents and motorists in Port Harcourt, the state capital, to rush home to their families because they feared a possible breakdown of law and order.

In his nationwide broadcast, President Tinubu justified the declaration, citing the unresolved crisis in the state, which he said has defied political solutions.

He said, “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for six months.

“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.”

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Meanwhile, the suspended governor, Fubara, has called on state residents to be calm, saying he’ll “engage with all relevant institutions to ensure that our democracy remains strong.”