The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has secured the backing of the Emir of Gwandu as Nigeria reopens the Tsamiya International Border linking Kebbi State with the Republic of Benin.
According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, Adeniyi paid visit to the Emir of Gwandu, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Bashar, on Saturday, following a directive by President Bola Tinubu for the reopening of the strategic border crossing. The move is expected to boost legitimate trade while intensifying enforcement against smuggling and cross-border crime.
Describing Kebbi as a major transit route for smugglers, particularly those involved in the illegal export of petroleum products, the Customs boss warned that the border reopening comes with increased responsibility for officers and border communities.
“Traditional authorities remain indispensable allies in discouraging smuggling and building trust between communities and security agencies,” Adeniyi said, stressing that border security requires collaboration beyond enforcement.
The Emir of Gwandu pledged the full support of the Emirate Council to the Nigeria Customs Service and urged border residents to cooperate with authorities by providing timely intelligence to curb smuggling and related criminal activities.
During a visit to the Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi Area Command, Adeniyi commissioned an e-learning centre and a newly constructed five-aside football pitch, part of efforts to improve operational capacity and personnel welfare.
Addressing officers, he warned against any compromise in the handling of transit cargo and stressed that goods must move strictly through approved corridors. He added that special operations had been deployed to counter smuggling, banditry and other organised crimes in the area.
The visit ended with a friendly football match between the Comptroller-General and Customs officers, reinforcing morale as the Service braces for heightened enforcement duties following the reopening of the Kebbi–Benin border.