Border Closure: Niger Retaliates; Bans Rice Export to Nigeria

• Border Closure: Niger Retaliates; Bans Rice Export to Nigeria

Following President Muhammadu Buhari decision to close Nigeria borders and prevent importation of goods from neighbouring countries, Niger Republic has retaliated in a similar fashion, according to Hameed Ali, the Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service.

According to Ali, Niger Republic has banned the exportation of rice to Nigeria in a retaliatory move. The move is to hurt Nigeria’s key import from the country and aim to force Nigeria to shift ground considering the recent increase in the price of rice.

Last week, traders in Benin Republic pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to open the land border connecting Nigeria and the country as goods worth millions rot on the farm.

Ali, during his Monday address in Abuja, said Nigeria, through diplomatic channels will continue to negotiate with neighbouring countries to agree on a workable plan for all parties.

He said, “The government, through diplomatic channels will continue to engage our neighbours to agree to comply with ECOWAS Protocol on Transit.

“Goods that are on the prohibition list in Nigeria, such as rice, used clothes, poultry products and vegetable oil should not be exported to the country.

“As a result of this [border] closure, Niger Republic has already circulated an order banning exportation of rice in any form to Nigeria.”