The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to urgently engage the Republic of Benin over the blockade of the Tabera border in Baruten local government area of Kwara State.
Reps particularly asked the federal government to initiate diplomatic representations to the Government of Republic of Benin to resolve the issue and ensure reversal of the blockade for free movement of people, goods and services in accordance with agreements between the two countries and ECOWAS policy.
The request followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Mohammed Bio from Kwara State at plenary on Tuesday.
Moving the motion, Bio said there were several border communities in Baruten local government area, one of which is Tabera sharing boundary with Tandu Community in Parakou, Republic of Benin.
He noted that the proximity of Nigeria through Baruten LGA of Kwara State to Republic of Benin has opened up bilateral relationship between the two countries in the area of movement of people, goods and services.
The lawmaker said Tabera-Tandu Road serves as easiest road and sole agriculture trade route linking Okuta District in Nigeria with Parakou Province in Republic of Benin.
“On the 6th May, 2025 between lam and Sam, Beninese Security Personnel in joint operation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce on the order of the President of Republic of Benin effected a pre-dawn blockade of TaberaTandu Road with heavy stones, barring movement of people, goods and services between Nigeria and Republic of Benin.
“This presidential directive of blockade has disrupted movement of people, seasonal cashew and soya beans trade that are critical to rural livelihood of people in the border communities of the two countries,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed concerns that the blockade was making life unbearable for people, forcing them to breach of law and order.
He expressed worry that the blockade posed a significant strain on bilateral relations and ECOWAS trade cooperation between Nigeria and Republic of Benin.
“The continuation of the blockade restricting movement of people, goods and services without urgent resolution can ignite rancours between people of the two countries and further contribute to insecurity the two countries are battling with in that part of the countries,” he said.
Also at plenary, the House called for the immediate and unconditional release of 18 persons abducted by sea pirates along the Billy and Bonny waterways in Rivers State.
This was sequel to the approval of a motion moved by Hon. Hart Cyril (Rivers), who decried the growing insecurity, recalling a similar attack in March where a victim was killed despite ransom payment.
The House urged the Inspector General of Police to deploy gunboats and security houseboats to secure the waterways and mandated its committees on Navy and Police to ensure compliance.
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