President Muhammadu Buhari said the issue of partial closure of Nigeria’s land border to goods from neighbouring countries will be determined by report of tripartite committee made up of Nigeria, Benin and Niger Republic.
The President stated this when he received President Roch Marc Christian Kabore of Burkina Faso who paid him a visit on Friday at the State House in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement by the the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President was quoted as saying “Our major problem is security – the inflow of weapons, ammunition and drugs”.
President Buhari added, “We have witnessed a decline in banditry using such weapons since the partial closure of the border. Also, our farmers are now able to sell their rice since we stopped the inflow of foreign rice, usually dumped in the country.”
He informed his visitor that Nigeria’s decision to partially close the borders was purely based on the need to ensure national security.
President Buhari said Nigeria was very much mindful of the concerns of neighbouring countries on the issue, assuring that his administration will find an early and enduring solution.
“I will work as fast as I can as soon as I receive the report,” President Buhari assured Mr Kabore.
The Burkina Faso leader is the chairman of the ECOWAS Committee mandated to resolve the issue of the border closure.
He informed the Nigerian leader that he came on the visit following the mandate of ECOWAS to resolve the issues that culminated in the partial closure of the border.
President Kabore said many of the challenges which led to the closure by Nigeria have been discussed and agreed on and urged President Buhari to reconsider his position.
