A week after the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Customs Service, reopened the Illela land border between Nigeria and Niger Republic, the government of Niger Republic on Friday [today] also reopened its border in Konni for operations.
A source, Nuhu Samaila, from Konni in Niger Republic, said the border was declared open at exactly 12pm.
He commended the decision of the leadership of the country, the military junta, for giving a listening ear to the yearnings of the people by ensuring the border reopening.
“It is a commendable effort, at least by the government, to have done the needful at last.
“It was our collective prayer that this border, too, should be reopened after the Nigeria side was declared open.
“I want to believe that this will definitely help a lot in the improvement of the economy of these two countries, as it will facilitate more trading activities between Nigeria and Niger Republic,” he added.
The Federal Government had, last Wednesday, restored the supply of electricity to the Republic of Niger, in addition to the directive that Nigeria’s land and air borders with the neighbouring country be reopened.
On August 3, 2023, power supply from Nigeria to the Republic of Niger was stopped as part of the sanctions against the West African country by the Economic Community of West African States.
Earlier last August, ECOWAS, under Tinubu’s leadership, had imposed sanctions on Niger following a coup that toppled the country’s President-elect, Mohamed Bazoum, in July 2023. Officers of the Niger Presidential Guard had on July 26, 2023, arrested Bazoum and declared him deposed.
In their reactions, ECOWAS leaders demanded the full restoration of constitutional order in Niger and declared Bazoum’s arrest and detention illegal.
Also, in compliance with the directive of the President on the immediate reopening of the land border with Niger Republic, the Controller, Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi State command, Iheanacho Ojike, reopened Kamba land border.
While re-opening the border, Ojike said Kamba is a strategic border with a major share in Kebbi State revenue generation.
