Excitement in Ogun as Buhari reopens border after three years
It’ll boost our businesses – Residents
Residents of border communities in Ogun State have expressed their joy following the reopening of Idiroko land border, nearly three years after its closure.
In August 2019, Nigeria closed its land borders with neighbouring Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
On December 16, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari re-opened land borders at Seme, Illela, Maigatari and Mfun, leaving Idiroko and other borders shut.
The development generated outcry in the border areas of Ogun State, with residents lamenting its effect on their economic activities.
Respite, however, came on Friday when the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) disclosed that Buhari had approved the reopening of four more land borders.
The borders are Idiroko in Ogun, Jibiya in Katsina, Kamba in Kebbi and Ikom in Cross River.
Speaking with Daily Trust on Sunday, some of the residents described it as a welcome development, saying it would boost their socioeconomic activities.
An Idiroko-based Islamic cleric, Imam Abdulwaliy Abdulazeez (Omoakin) noted that the prolonged border closure left some people dead while others are battling ailments due to the effects of the closure on their businesses.
Abdulazeez said, “It is long overdue. Our prayers have finally been answered and we thank God for that. I can tell you that everyone is happy on learning that the border has been reopened. From Monday now, businesses will start booming.”
Also speaking, a youth leader in Ipokia Local Government Area, Imoleayo Deji, however expressed fears that the border reopening may lead to an upsurge in smuggling activities.
Deji urged law enforcement agencies domiciled in the border areas to carry out anti-smuggling duties professionally to avoid shedding the blood of innocent residents.
“The re-opening of borders, especially that of Idiroko, comes with a larger advantage and disadvantage as it affects the living of our people,” he said.
On his part, a community leader at Iwoye Ketu in Imeko Afon Local Government Area, Ahmed Ismaila said, “That’s good news to me. We are happy about the development as it will boost socioeconomic activities of our area. We also thank the government for listening to our outcry.”