The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has called on the Federal Government to fully reopen all land borders across Nigeria to enhance the movement of people and goods in line with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme.
He made the appeal on Sunday when the outgoing Controller of Customs for the Oyo/Osun Area Command, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, paid him a farewell visit at his Bodija residence in Ibadan.
Ladoja recalled that the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari shut the nation’s land borders in 2019, before later reopening key entry points such as Seme and Idiroko in Lagos and Ogun states.
According to him, with the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, there is no justification for keeping the remaining borders closed.
The monarch commended the Nigeria Customs Service for intensifying anti-smuggling operations but urged the agency to step up efforts to prevent the influx of illegal arms, ammunition, drugs, and other prohibited items through the nation’s borders, airports, and seaports.
He praised Aliyu for his dedication during his tenure as the 37th Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun command and wished him success in his future assignments.
Earlier, Aliyu expressed appreciation to the Olubadan and the state’s traditional institution for their consistent support and appealed for the same level of cooperation to be extended to his successor.
