The Federal Government has approved the reopening of the Tsamiya Border Corridor as part of renewed efforts to enhance border security and facilitate legitimate transit trade across Nigeria’s northwest frontier.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed over the weekend during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement at the Government House in Kebbi State.
The meeting brought together key security agencies, traditional leaders, economic operators, and international customs representatives to deliberate on practical measures for strengthening border governance while ensuring seamless movement of lawful trade under strict compliance frameworks.
The reopening of the Tsamiya Corridor reflects the Nigeria Customs Service’s strategy to balance national security imperatives with trade facilitation, particularly along critical land borders and the River Niger corridor linking Nigeria with neighbouring countries.
Speaking at the engagement, Adeniyi stressed the need for structured inter-agency collaboration and cross-border cooperation to tackle emerging security and transit trade challenges.
“Criminal elements operate through cooperation, shared resources, and organised networks. This makes it imperative for security agencies to work together in a coordinated manner to effectively counter such threats,” the CGC said.
He disclosed that the NCS is working closely with customs administrations in the Republic of Niger and the Republic of Benin, backed by the political commitment of President Bola Tinubu and President Patrice Talon, to address persistent transit trade challenges through Customs-to-Customs cooperation.
According to him, diversion of goods in transit is a regional issue requiring coordinated enforcement, clear operational guidelines, and strict compliance to ensure cargoes reach their designated destinations.
Adeniyi explained that operations along the Tsamiya Corridor would be supported by enhanced monitoring mechanisms, including ICT-driven interconnectivity systems, strengthened profiling of licensed customs agents, and close surveillance of transit goods.
He warned that any truck found deviating from approved routes would be seized, with offenders prosecuted in line with extant transit regulations.
The CGC commended the Kebbi State Government for promoting a coordinated security environment and acknowledged the contributions of retired senior customs officers from the state to national security and the development of the Service.
In his remarks, Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies through logistics support, infrastructure development, and sustained community engagement in border areas.
“The Kebbi State Government remains committed to prioritising security and creating an enabling environment for security agencies to operate effectively, while ensuring that border communities benefit from sustained development,” the governor said.
The engagement was attended by the Minister of Budget and National Planning and former Kebbi State Governor, Senator Atiku Bagudu; another former governor, Usman Dakingari; customs officials from the Republic of Benin; representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser; heads of security agencies; traditional rulers; and key economic operators.
Participants expressed confidence that the renewed collaboration would enhance border security, deepen regional trade, and position Kebbi State as a strategic hub for legitimate economic activities.
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