Border Closure: Rice, Arms Allegedly Targeted, Benin Republic Economy Threatened

By Uche Mbah

The closure of Nigerian borders have been taking its  toll on the economy of Nigeria and neighboring countries, but it appears the closure is more effective at the southern borders than the North, reports indicate.

The Federal Government has claimed that N2 billion has been saved daily by the closure.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government ordered the closure of Nigerian borders to curtail the activities of smugglers, particularly of Rice, to encourage local production. But critics have faulted the move, which, incidentally appears to be giving positive results, although there is an initial increase in the price of rice, surveys have shown. There were also allegations that the closure was at the instance of a renowned business mogul who has ventured into Rice production. But he is not the only one. The Bavarian Motor Works, BMW representative in Nigeria, Cosmas Maduka, known as Coscharis, has a rice mill that can favorably compete internationally.

There is also another big Rice mill in Kogi state.

Besides, there have been reports of catches of arms intercepted at the borders, particularly in the North, traceable to the arrested kidnap kingpin, known as Wadume.

Wadume has been arrested by the police in controversial circumstances indicting some military officials. It is said that till date, there has been some bureaucratic bottlenecks resulting from inter agency rivalry in the prosecution of his case.

But this magazine was told that part of his activities involves armed smuggling, through which he supplies sophisticated arms to bandits and kidnappers. He was alleged to be building up loyalties as a new godfather, having allegedly sponsored elections of many top politicians.

Now, the border closure may have affected the activities of his protégés who are said to still be on the run, even though over fifty kidnappers are said to be in police net resulting from his arrest.

Neighboring countries are reeling under the impact of the closure, this Magazine learnt.

Since the closed borders, the Republic of Benin currency has taken a hit and has all but collapsed in the presence of international exchange.

The country depend a lot on the cross border trade for economic growth.