More than 2,000 trucks that were previously held up along Nigeria’s borders with Benin and Niger Republics have resumed movement following the reopening of the Kamba and Tsamiya border posts in Kebbi State.
The development followed a directive issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ease cross-border trade and restore economic activities in the affected areas.
The Kebbi Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mahmoud Matawalle-Ibrahim, formally reopened the borders to vehicular traffic from Benin and Niger on Monday at Kamba in Dandi Local Government Area.
According to him, the decision to reopen the borders in Dandi and Bagudo Local Government Areas was taken to facilitate the flow of legitimate goods and revive commercial exchanges with the neighbouring countries after months of closure due to security challenges.
He explained that the approval was granted by the President to ensure the smooth transit of lawful goods from the Tsamiya border through the Kamba corridor into Niger Republic.
Matawalle-Ibrahim noted that many of the trucks from Benin had already completed clearance procedures at Tsamiya and were en route to the Tunga Jado border in Niger via Kamba.
He added that the move would enhance trade relations between Nigeria and its neighbours, while also strengthening collaborative security operations in border communities.
In his remarks, Niger Republic’s official, Commander Maigiro Yahaya-Tubil, said the decision would provide a significant boost to economic activities in the sub-region.
He expressed satisfaction that trucks stranded for months could now proceed smoothly through Nigeria to their various destinations.
Similarly, the District Head of Kamba, Alhaji Muhammed Sarkin-Shikon-Kamba, welcomed the development, describing it as a major relief for residents of border communities.
He said the reopening would restore livelihoods and generate fresh economic opportunities for the people, while commending the Federal Government for its intervention.