The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area Command in Kebbi State has reopened the Kamba and Tsamiya border routes in Dandi and Bagudo Local Government Areas to facilitate cross-border trade with the Republics of Benin and Niger.
The borders were earlier shut following rising insecurity along the frontier communities.
The reopening, which took effect on Monday, February 9, followed a series of diplomatic engagements and agreements between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin aimed at restoring legitimate trading activities and strengthening cooperation.
Speaking during the exercise, the Customs Area Comptroller in Kebbi State, Mahmud Matawalle Ibrahim, said the decision was taken with presidential approval to allow the smooth movement of lawful goods across the borders.
He noted that the arrangement would enable the movement of legitimate consignments from the Tsamiya border to the Niger Republic through the Kamba route.
Ibrahim said, “The borders were opened on the approval of the President to allow for the movement of legitimate goods from the Tsamiya border to the Niger Republic through the Kamba border in Kebbi State.”
He added that the reopening had already led to the clearance of several trucks that had been stranded due to the earlier closure.
According to him, many of the trucks from the Benin Republic were officially processed at the Tsamiya border and allowed to proceed to the Niger Republic’s Tunga Jado border via Kamba.
The comptroller expressed optimism that the development would revitalise economic activities in the border communities and strengthen regional trade ties.
He also emphasised that security considerations remained a priority, stressing that authorities on both sides were committed to upholding the agreements reached and ensuring safe, seamless trading operations.
“The reopening of the borders will facilitate and boost trading activities between the countries, and also enhance security as we are committed to keeping the agreements and ensuring the smooth operation of trading activities at the borders,” Ibrahim said.