The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his promise to “reopen” Nigeria’s land borders, saying there is nothing to reopen because the borders are not shut.

Speaking on the issue, the minister listed several border posts that are currently operational. They include Seme, Illela, Maigatari, Mfum, Idiroko, Ikom, Kamba and Tsamiya.

Tunji-Ojo explained that some border closures in the past, especially along the Cameroon-Nigeria frontier, were due to security concerns linked to the Boko Haram insurgency. He noted that those were not part of the 2019 federal government trade policy.

He added that many of those crossings have since been reopened after security improved and with cooperation from neighboring countries.

The minister, however, said that tighter controls remain in place at some northern border points where insecurity is still a challenge.

According to him, modern border management must balance security, proper documentation, customs compliance and trade facilitation.

He advised Atiku to separate issues of trade, security and infrastructure when proposing any new border policy, instead of mixing them together.

Source: Minister of Interior