Tsamiya Reopening: Customs Vow Prosecution Of Route Violators

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strict enforcement along the Tsamiya border route in Kebbi State following its official reopening on Saturday, vowing to seize and prosecute any smugglers or violators.

The border post, closed since 2020 amid heightened security concerns and smuggling crackdowns under the Border Closure Policy, resumed operations to boost legitimate trade with the Niger Republic. Officials hailed the move as a win for local economies, particularly in agriculture and energy-related imports.

The NCS also reaffirmed its commitment to securing border governance and facilitating transit trade, following the federal government’s approval to reopen the Tsamiya Border Corridor.

This was made known during a stakeholders’ engagement held on Saturday, at the Government House, Kebbi state, Customs stated on Sunday.

The Tsamiya Corridor is a strategic land border and transit route in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria. It connects Nigeria with the Republic of Benin and the Niger Republic, serving as a vital artery for regional trade and economic activity.

The engagement, which brought together security agencies, traditional leaders, economic operators, and international customs representatives, provided a strategic platform to examine practical measures to strengthen Nigeria’s northwest border architecture while ensuring that legitimate trade flows seamlessly under strict compliance protocols.

The service said that reopening of the corridor underscores its ongoing drive to balance national security priorities with trade facilitation objectives, particularly along critical land routes and the River Niger corridor that connects Nigeria with neighbouring countries.

Speaking during the engagement, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, emphasised the importance of structured inter-agency and cross-border collaboration in addressing evolving transit trade and security challenges.

According to the CGC, “Criminal elements operate through cooperation, shared resources, and organised networks. This makes it imperative for security agencies to work together in a coordinated manner to effectively counter such threats.”

He noted that the Service is actively engaging customs authorities from the Niger Republic and the Republic of Benin, supported by the political will of President Bola Tinubu and President Patrice Talon, to resolve longstanding transit trade issues through coordinated Customs-to-Customs cooperation.

“Diversion of goods in transit is not peculiar to Nigeria; it is a cross-border challenge that requires coordinated enforcement, clear guidelines, and strict compliance to ensure that goods reach their intended destinations,” Adeniyi stated.

The CGC explained that the Tsamiya Corridor will operate under enhanced monitoring driven by ICT interconnectivity systems, strengthened profiling of licensed customs agents, and close surveillance of goods in transit. He warned that any truck found outside the approved route will be seized, and offenders prosecuted in line with transit regulations, referencing recent prosecutions as evidence of the Service’s firm enforcement approach.

He commended the Kebbi State Government for fostering a coordinated security environment. He acknowledged the contributions of retired senior customs officers from the state to the development of the Service and national security.

In his remarks, the governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, highlighted the state’s commitment to supporting Customs and other security agencies by providing logistics, infrastructure, and community engagement in border areas.

“The Kebbi State government remains committed to prioritising security and creating an enabling environment for security agencies to operate effectively, while ensuring that border communities benefit from sustained development,” the governor said.

The stakeholders’ engagement attracted immediate past governor of Kebbi State and  minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu, another former governor of the state, Usman Dakingari, customs officials from the Republic of Benin, representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, and key economic operators, all expressing confidence that the renewed collaboration will enhance border security, strengthen regional trade, and position Kebbi State as a strategic hub for lawful economic activities.