Border closure suspicious, poses huge economic implications to southwest —Gani Adams

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has expressed suspicion over the closure of the Nigeria—Benin border by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Adams who also doubles as the leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) says that the closure bears huge implications on the economies of Lagos and the southwest in general.

While speaking on Thursday during the 2019 edition of the Olokun Festival in Badagry, Adams lamented that the closure of the border will affect the people in the south more than any other region in the country.

He said: “It is unfortunate that the Nigeria – Benin border had to be shut, however, the closure seems suspicious to me because the borders in the North still operate conveniently without anybody blinking an eye.

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“This portends grave danger to us as a people because the economic implications of the border closure will largely affect us more in the southwest than any other regions.”

Adams also called on the Federal government, to as a matter of urgency, re-open the border and make sure that the necessary arrangements are made to forestall illegal smuggling into the country.

”We can reduce the unlawful smuggling of rice and other items into the country. It involves proper planning and documentation from the Nigerian government and the officials, including the Immigrations and the Customs must be up and doing in ensuring that the law is effective,” he said.

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