The Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service, retired Col. Hameed Ali, has directed that both import and export of goods through the nation’s land borders stay banned till a settlement with neighbouring nations is reached on the types of items to be brought in and out of Nigeria.
The Customs boss made the declaration in Abuja during a press briefing on the launch of a joint border patrol squad codenamed ‘EX-SWIFT RESPONSE.”
According to him, the measure was borne out of concern for the safety of the people and for Customs to be able to scan the type of products coming into the country.
Ali maintained that all items should henceforth come in via the legitimate air and sea ports where they will be scanned and authorized for consumption.
“For now, all items, whether or not the goods are illicit, they are banned from going out and coming into Nigeria.
“For this reason, we have deemed it necessary for now that importers of such goods should go through our controlled borders where we have scanners to verify the kind of goods and how healthy they are for our people to be consumed.”
-Oby Goodluck