In an effort to promote cross-border trade, security agencies operating along the Seme-Krake border route, particularly on the Nigerian corridor from Agbara to Seme, have reached an agreement to immediately reduce the number of checkpoints on the roads.
The decision emerged from a recent Joint Border Security meeting, which took place yesterday, and was attended by the heads of various agencies including the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Army, among others.
The excessive presence of checkpoints established by these agencies has been widely criticized for hindering cross-border trade and providing opportunities for corrupt individuals to engage in extortion.
Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, the Area Controller of Seme Customs Command and Chairman of the Joint Border Security Management Team, addressed the press following the meeting at Seme Border.
He highlighted that the Joint Border Security team consists of all the relevant security agencies operating at the border, encompassing both military and paramilitary organizations, as well as the Chairman of Badagry Local Government.
According to him: “Customs has set the example by collapsing most of its checkpoints and the other agencies have agreed to do same. One of the agencies, Nigerian Police, said they would get back to their leadership. However, the most important thing is that every agency was sincere in their appraisal of the issue and everyone admitted that something had to be done.”
“We also had a representative of the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Olukayode Olugbenga Aluko at the meeting.
He made a commitment to communicate the decisions made during the meeting to the mission, Nigerians in Benin, and the citizens of Benin Republic. The objective is to inform them about Nigeria’s trade facilitation efforts along this corridor, resulting in mutual benefits for all parties involved. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) was also in attendance at the meeting.
Emphasizing the swift action of security agencies, Nnadi stated that the elimination of checkpoints along the border route would be implemented immediately. He reassured that this measure would not expose the border to smugglers, as security agencies would employ enhanced intelligence mechanisms. Additionally, they would collaborate with one another and engage with border communities to effectively combat smuggling.
“There should be patrol bases because we all have vehicles and we can communicate. We don’t have to create one million checkpoints on the roads to stop smuggling. We are being proactive and innovative,” Comptroller Nnadi said.
After the removal of fuel subsidy, the price of fuel in Nigeria has increased compared to that in Seme, a border town. Consequently, the Customs boss expressed optimism that this change would help curb the illicit practice of fuel smuggling from Nigeria through the Seme border.
The Joint Border Security meeting was initially convened to address the impact of the fuel subsidy removal amidst the alleged strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), considering its effects on the trade corridor.
During the meeting, the security agencies also agreed to raise awareness among the border communities about the importance of adhering to the government’s fuel subsidy policy while commending the government for its swift response, which averted the anticipated strike action following threats from the NLC.
Subsequently, journalists observed the presence of twenty-two (22) checkpoints between Badagry roundabout and the Seme border post shortly after the Joint Border Security meeting. Nine (9) of these checkpoints were manned by the Nigerian Police, with commercial drivers paying N200 at each point without significant inspections being conducted.
Attempts to obtain a response from the representative of the Nigeria Police Force at the meeting were unsuccessful, as he stated that he was not authorized to speak to journalists during the event.