By Uche Mbah
Mamman Danbafale’s son, Fatuhu Mohammed, has said that the border closure being effected between Nigeria and its border nations is nothing short of a scam because it is not being effected in the North. Besides, he faulted the closure of filling stations 20 kilometers near any border, saying that even Daura is nineteen Kilometers away from the Niger border, which means that if the law is effective all over Nigeria, there will be no fuel in Daura.
Dambafalle is President Buhari’s Brother from the same parents, hence Mohamed is his nephew.
He represents Daura/Saidamu/MaiAdua federal constituency of Katsina state.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Mohammed said: “From Daura to the Kongalam International Border is 18 kilometers. From Mr. President’s house, his bedroom, is just 13 kilometers…we all know the borders are closed but they still allow things to go in and out. I am a living witness and I stand to be corrected…Things are happening in the border. Despite (the fact that) they are closed but they are not closed. They pay (cars) in the night to to Niger and (cars) in the night to come in from Niger. We should not deceive ourselves. If we are going to do the right thing let us do it. If we are going to allow it let us allow it”.
Since the border closure 179 days ago, there have been reports that foreign rice has flooded the markets in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Jigawa states. Reports also indicated the Kano state is predominantly full of foreign rice. Sources indicate that there has been no change in quantity of foreign rice being sold in the Markets in Northern border towns, “except that there is an increase in prices due to border closures in the South.”
This Magazine had earlier reported that the border closure is not effective in the North, that there has always been convoys of motorcycles escorted by alleged custom officers to cross borders to bring in foreign goods from the North.
The Southern neighbor’s loss is Niger’s Gain.
