Why we closed Nigeria-Benin border – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said the partial closure of Nigeria’s border with Benin Republic was due to the massive smuggling activities, especially of rice, taking place on that corridor.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that the restriction at Seme followed the joint border security exercise ordered by the government and aimed at securing Nigeria’s land and maritime borders.

The exercise, code-named, ‘Ex-Swift Response’, was being jointly conducted by the customs, immigration, police and military personnel and coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The Nigerian leader gave the reason during an audience granted his Beninois counterpart, Patrice Talon, on the margins of the Seventh Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD7), in Yokohama, Japan on Wednesday.

The President’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday said President Buhari expressed great concern over the smuggling of rice.

The president said the activities of the smugglers threatened the self-sufficiency already attained due to his administration’s agricultural policies.

– Premium Times

.