Borders opened? video not recent, say Custom
The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has debunked the claim that the Idiroko land border in the state has reopened for business.
The Controller of the state command, Bamidele Makinde, dispelled rumours in response to a viral video depicting Customs agents opening the border.
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In response to questions from reporters at a media briefing in Abeokuta, Makinde stated that the previous administration reopened the Idi-Iroko border along with three others in 2022.
Since then, he said, the route has remained open to legitimate trade, noting that anyone conducting business along the unapproved route will be stopped.
He stated, “The media video that went viral occurred in April of last year, when the border was opened. Four borders were opened in total. In contrast, Ogun State currently has more than six approved borders in lmeko, Ijofin, Ijoun, and Ohunbe. Only Idi-Iroko is currently accessible; the others remain locked.
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“We are merely public servants; we implement policies in accordance with Abuja’s directives. Therefore, Idi-Iroko is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week; however, we have not received notification to open the other borders.”
Between April and May, the command seized 6,924 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50 kilogrammes each, equivalent to 11 trailer loads.
Makinde listed gallons of Premium Motor Spirit, used tyres, Cannabis Sativa, and other prohibited items among the other seizures recorded.
Makinde added, “The command generated a total of N34,174,105 during the period under review.” Compared to N10,615,618.00 generated in the same period of the previous year, 2022 has generated N23,558,487.00, a significant increase of approximately 69%.”
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