The Customs Area Controller, Kebbi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Mahmoud Matawalle Ibrahim, alongside his counterpart from the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B, Comptroller Aminu Sule, have inspected the level of compliance in the movement of transit goods along the Tsamiya–Segbana–Kamba corridor.
The inspection, conducted on Monday, followed the reopening of the Tsamiya/Segbana border for transit operations, as approved by the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
The exercise, which covered the Maje border route through to Kamba, witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Senator Ahmed Tijjani Affor Obo of the Republic of Benin; Commander Maigizo Yahaya Tubil of the Bureau de Douane, Niger Republic; the Chief of Staff, Kebbi State Government, Barrister Attahiru Maccido; and the Chairman of Stakeholders, Kebbi State, Alhaji Idi Bagudo.
Addressing stakeholders, Comptroller Ibrahim stated that the purpose of the assignment was to ensure strict compliance with approved procedures governing the transit of legitimate goods across the international borders of Benin and Niger Republics through Kebbi State, particularly the Tsamiya/Segbana and Kamba corridors, to other African countries.
He stressed the need to prevent the diversion of transit trucks from their approved destinations for local consumption.
He also called on traditional rulers and host communities to cooperate with the Service to ensure the seamless movement of trucks and a peaceful operational environment along the corridor.
In his remarks, Comptroller Sule assured stakeholders of the support of the Federal Operations Unit, stating that the Service would provide the necessary assistance to facilitate trade across international borders, in line with its mandate.
Representatives of the Benin and Niger Republic customs authorities expressed appreciation to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the Kebbi State Government, and CGC Adeniyi, for creating an avenue for dialogue and approving the transit of legitimate goods through the corridor.
The District Head of Kamba, Alhaji Mamuda Zarumai (Sarkin Shikon Kamba) also expressed gratitude to the government and pledged to caution the people of Kamba to cooperate fully with the NCS, noting that the initiative is for the overall benefit of Nigerians.
Speaking on behalf of stakeholders, Alhaji Idi Bagudo assured compliance with all laid-down regulations guiding transit operations and pledged that stakeholders would not condone any diversion of trucks from their intended destinations in the Niger Republic.
The inspection exercise concluded with the escort of transit trucks from Kamba across the border to Tungan Kado in the Niger Republic.
