The Area Controller of the Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs, Comptroller Kamal Mohammed, has assured stakeholders at the Illela border that all is set for the reopening of the border.
Speaking at the Nigeria Customs Illela border Station during a working visit, Mohammed said with the ECOWAS sanctions lift on Niger Republic and subsequent restoration of power supply to the neighboring country, the border will be reopened sooner.
The Comptroller alongside members of his management team appealed to members of the border community to remain calm and continue to be law-abiding as all government policies are aimed at improving the well-being of the citizens.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) resolved to lift some sanctions on Niger Republic following its extraordinary summit on the peace, political, and security situation in the ECOWAS sub-region in Abuja on February 24.
Following the military coup in Niger Republic on July 26, 2023, which toppled President Mohamed Bazoum, ECOWAS imposed several sanctions on the country including border closure.
Some of the sanctions lifted include the closure of land and air borders between all ECOWAS countries and Niger Republic; no flight zone to all commercial flights to and from the Niger Republic, suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger Republic and freezing of all service transactions including utility services, among others.
