Afamed:
Definitely this must be the monarchy in Ogun State who has over 200 smugglers that pay homage to him

www.nairaland.com/attachments/3903043_3900875eremainsmalluformakesensepng0cbd86798bdb9acb6b2f053976eebe47_png4f72619c8ca6b05dbf89dda16578e7fe

Islie:
Smuggling Booms At Nigeria, Niger Border, Despite Border Closure

Despite the closure of Nigerian land borders by the federal government in the last three months, smuggling still persists at the border between Nigeria and Niger Republic, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.

THISDAY gathered that at the border between Jibia in Katsina State and Niger Republic, smugglers have resorted to the use of illegal routes to ferry in bags of foreign rice, bales of second-hand clothing and other contrabands.

However, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed the observation, calling for either a photograph or video evidence to prove the allegation. NCS also said it would be impossible for smugglers to operate at any of the country’s borders.

Investigation revealed that while strict compliance appears to reign at the main border post between the two countries, illegal businesses still thrived at some bush paths and sundry illegal entry points where unscrupulous security operatives, work hand-in-glove with smugglers to smuggle contraband goods into the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on August 20, 2019 ordered a joint border security aimed at securing the country’s land and maritime borders.

But when THISDAY visited the border town of Jibia at the weekend, it was observed that there were some illegal routes that commercial drivers and motorcyclists were using to transport goods and passengers into the country.

It was gathered that rice smugglers were also taking advantage of the lax security to bring their wares into the country but at much higher price than before.

Some of the illegal routes the smugglers used to ferry in the contrabands from Niger Republic to Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State include Sabon Gari, Dan-Harau, Alele, Makada and Maidabaro roads despite heavy security at the borders.

The smugglers, it was learnt, go through the laborious route of offloading the contrabands few meters away from the official border security post and use J-5 buses, Gulf 4 and 5 vehicles and motorcycles to ferry the items from their hideouts into Jibia for onward transportation to their warehouses in Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Jigawa States and some other parts of the country.

Residents of the border town told THISDAY that the smugglers were being aided by security personnel, including soldiers, policemen, Customs and immigration officials, who allegedly collected money from the smugglers to allow them a free passage at the 13 checkpoints between Jibia and Katsina metropolis.

A motorcyclist involved in smuggling, who pleaded anonymity, told THISDAY that those of them engaged in the business understood the risks and dangers involved but affirmed that they would not encounter any problem unless they refused to cooperate with security operatives at the checkpoints.

“Unless one refused to pay the bribe for each category of items or when it is time for the officials to sacrifice you to prove that they are working – that is when they will arrest you in the name of smuggling,” he explained.

A commercial driver simply identified as Sule, who specialised in smuggling, said business had been booming for them because they do convey a bag of rice from Maradi (Niger Republic) to Katsina at the cost of N3,000 each.

“We used to charge rice merchants N3,000 for each bag of rice carried from Maradi to Katsina State. Although, we do follow bush paths and sometimes custom officers do arrest us. But once we give them some monies they allow us to pass even though some of them are very stubborn,” he stated.

He, however, lamented that the border closure has contributed negatively to the socio-economic imbalance of the state and the country in general.

When contacted, the NCS Commander in charge of Sector 4 Command of the National Border Drill Operation, Bashir Abubakar, said about 50 suspected smugglers had so far been apprehended and 14 trucks of contrabands intercepted.

He lamented that Jibia border has always been one of their major flashpoints since the commencement of the operation two months ago because of the “mental behaviour” of the inhabitants of the area.

“We have seen that people of that area are not in good terms with government security agencies and it has been a history,” he added.

On the allegation that his officers were extorting money from smugglers, Abubakar said: “I will not say yes, it is true but at the same time I will not deny because we are all human beings and there is no Nigerian that changes name in terms of issues of integrity and character.

“Think of anywhere in the world, there are bag eggs and good eggs. The same thing applies to various agencies in Nigeria – both government and private agencies but anyone found wanting will be punished.”

He added that lack of adequate operational vehicles and banditry has affected their ability to carry out the operation in all the villages in the state.

The Sector 4 Command of the National Border Drill Operation covers Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/22/despite-border-closure-smuggling-booms-at-nigeria-niger-border/

They should endure till the borders are opened

AngelicBeing:
Hahaha, welcome to Buhari next level of hunger, poverty and darkness, SAI BABA carry go till 2099, Una go get sense by force, Una leave better people and voted in a cattle rearer who treats his VP a PhD holder like an errand boy, Nigeria is currently been ruled by Criminals led by the bastard called Abba Kyari and his gangstas , I have put Buhari online for sale on Alibaba to Saudi Arabia, nonsense and Buhari

death penalty


Hate speech

Awaiting

Kingjames:
death penalty


Hate speech

Awaiting

I reverse all you wish me back to you 70 fold

Na ogun go kill buhari if he try open this boarder after festive season because it will look like wickedness so he better keep it shut

AngelicBeing:
Hahaha, welcome to Buhari next level of hunger, poverty and darkness, SAI BABA carry go till 2099, Una go get sense by force, Una leave better people and voted in a cattle rearer who treats his VP a PhD holder like an errand boy, Nigeria is currently been ruled by Criminals led by the bastard called Abba Kyari and his gangstas , I have put Buhari online for sale on Alibaba to Saudi Arabia, nonsense and Buhari

lols no be small tin o

May it continue killing you there!
No be your people vote for APC/Buhari

kill u kee
please relax
this closure is part of the SW agenda that u people signed with the north

Kwanza:


https://thenationonlineng.net/border-closure-killing-us-ogun-monarchs-declare/amp/

So, the Oba of Ihunbo, with a few friends of his, went down to Abeokuta to show their displeasure, not even at the Ake palace, without the knowledge and consent of any paramount ruler in Ogun state, and you, aspiring reporter, generalise, to include Ogun monarchs in such a shameful post. Who told you that Ogun monarchs are so jobless and hungry to be affected in such a magnitude by the border closure. Now I see why some people are pushing for laws to throw fake news carriers like you in jail.

Afamed:

And which community in Ogun State, do you drive 20klm before getting fuel? Come with facts not fable

YOu still do not get it, the FG barred fuel to be supplied with 20km of each border town meaning any comunity in this circle wont get fuel,DO YOU NOW UNDERSTAND??

It’s quite obvious that these monarchs and some of their people probably are involved heavily in smuggling activities ! Too bad for them .

Tranquillity360:
Hailers now wailers.



For yoruba people's mind,buhari will suffer ibos while we yoruba muslims will be enjoying.

@Patericatering, Madam why are you twisting it there was no indication that they are involved in smuggling activities, they are only reporting issues the way it has affected them adversely, abi who dem beat make e nu cry.

It may suffice you to know that individuals who you never thought of in this present government are the ones taking advantage of this situation, doing the so called SMUGGLING.... This naija anything is possible.

Am a subscriber to opening of the boarder as things have not really change positively and the heat is felt more by the common masses than the Bourgeoisie.

The govt can only put strict measures in terms of check and balances to man the boarder.

God bless Nigeria.