Customs And Army Strengthen Partnership with Benin Republic to Enhance Border Management

In a renewed move to strengthen regional cooperation and improve border management, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command, has reinforced its partnership with the Benin Republic Customs Service along the Tsamiya/Sebgana border corridor.

The engagement took place on Wednesday when a Nigerian delegation, led by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mahmoud Ibrahim, and the Commanding Officer of 1 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Major Shola Moses, paid a working visit to their Beninese counterparts at Sebgana.

Upon arrival, the team was received by Comptroller Arouna Dramane, Head of the Wara Border Command, Republic of Benin, alongside Beninese Customs officers, Kebbi Command personnel, and other key border stakeholders.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, Mustapha Mubarak, Comptroller Ibrahim highlighted the importance of collaboration between both nations’ security agencies to curb cross-border crimes and safeguard shared boundaries.

“Security is a collective responsibility. Our visit aims to strengthen cooperation, enhance intelligence sharing, and foster operational synergy for the safety of our officers, government assets, and border communities,” he stated.

He reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence and ensuring that legitimate trade between both countries thrives in a secure and well-coordinated environment.

In his remarks, Comptroller Dramane praised the Kebbi Area Command for the initiative, describing it as a welcome development that would enhance mutual understanding and operational efficiency.

“This visit marks a positive step towards deepening the friendship between our two services. We remain committed to sustaining this collaboration for improved border security and economic cooperation,” Dramane noted.

The Beninese Customs chief later conducted the visiting delegation on a tour of their facilities as part of a familiarisation exercise. The meeting concluded with goodwill exchanges and a renewed pledge from both sides to uphold peace, security, and continuous cooperation along the Nigeria–Benin border corridor.

It will be recalled that in March 2024, the NCS reopened the international border in Kamba town, Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, to facilitate the resumption of cross-border trade between Nigeria and neighbouring Niger and Benin Republics. The decision followed the Federal Government’s directive to reopen the nation’s borders with Benin Republic after a seven-month closure and the subsequent lifting of sanctions on Niger Republic by ECOWAS.