OLUBADAN URGES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO REOPEN LAND BORDERS

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has called on the Federal Government to reopen all land borders in the country to facilitate easier movement of people and goods within the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) sub-region.
The monarch during a farewell visit at his Bodija residence in Ibadan on Sunday by the outgoing Controller of Customs for the Oyo/Osun Area Command, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, said there was no justification for keeping the remaining borders closed, especially after the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023. He noted that although some major borders Seme and Idiroko have been reopened since the 2019 shutdown, others remain unnecessarily closed.
While commending the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its anti-smuggling efforts, Oba Ladoja urged the agency to intensify security at the nation’s borders, seaports, and airports to prevent the entry of illegal arms, drugs, and substandard products. He praised Comptroller Aliyu for his diligence during his tenure and wished him well in future assignments.