Eromosele Abiodun
The Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Oguntuase Kayode has called on security agencies at the Lagos-Seme boarder to be alive to their responsibilities, noting that the boarder is a safe haven for criminals.
He said smuggling of prohibited and restricted items, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, human trafficking, illicit drug trafficking, piracy, illegal bunkering, oil theft and international terrorism, are thriving in the area.
The envoy stated this when the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme and Ogun Area Command, led the delegations of the Joint Border Security Forum from both Commands to pay him a courtesy visit.
Kayode said the economic and security challenges along the Nigeria/Benin borders require urgent action.
The meeting, which was at the instance of the Nigerian ambassador, afforded him the opportunity to meet with the various federal government agencies operating in the South/Western part of Nigeria and Benin Republic borders. The agencies comprise the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Police Border Patrol, Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Port Health, among others.
He added that facilitation of the smooth movement of people, goods and services along the Nigeria/Benin Republic borders without compromising Nigeria security and national interest will also be enhanced.
The envoy went back memory lane to inform all the border security apparatus that converged in his office that the Nigerian embassy in Cotonou was established in 1974 at ambassadorial level to carry out representative duties, forge strong enduring political, economic historical ties and to perform consular functions in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians in Benin Republic.
He pointed out that because Seme Krake, Idiroko and by extension, Owode border posts remain the Nigeria commercial gateway to ECOWAS countries, particularly the Lagos-Abidjan economic corridor, the need for the meeting cannot be over-emphasised.
Consequent on the aforementioned objectives, the ambassador led the delegation from the two border commands to an interactive meeting, which focused on the topic: ‘Enhancing Effective and Efficient Border Security and Management Along the Nigerian/Benin Republic Borders.’
He said the theme for the discussion was quite apt and appropriate in the face of the current economic and security challenge facing Nigeria.
In the light of the challenges, he charged the security agencies to be more vigilant, alert, effective, and proactive to display due diligence, commitment and professionalism in the discharge of their duties along the borders.
He also disclosed some lapses to the Nigeria border control agencies and urged them to rise up to the challenges.
For the purpose of security, the ambassador also observed the need for scanner machines to be installed in all the land borders and the immediate opening of the abandoned Seme/Krake Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) joint border post.
He expressed the mission’s effort in repositioning the border agencies for improved performance, especially on making frantic efforts with the relevant agencies including the Nigeria government, European Union, ECOWAS and the Beninese authorities to ensure the joint border post is commissioned without further delay.
The ambassador assured that the mission is working assiduously to ensure the promotion, facilitation and enforcement of ECOWAS trade liberalisation Scheme as this will increase the smooth movement of goods and products produced within the two countries into Nigeria and Benin Republic respectively.
He charged the Nigeria border control agencies to continue to protect the Nigeria territorial integrity and National interest through effective and efficient border control and management.
