The Federal Government has ordered the closure of Nigerian land borders across the country, leaving thousands of passengers travelling across West African routes stranded.
A Qed.ng correspondent who visited the international bus park in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State on Wednesday learnt that buses could not leave because of border closure.
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An official of one of the transport companies plying the Idiroko-Seme route told this online newspaper “the FG has closed the Seme-Owode end of our border since last night and all passengers booked for the West African route will have to wait until further announcement.”
He added that words filtered in in the morning that the borders will remain closed for 28 days from Tuesday night because of security challenges.
“Buses travelling across West African routes usually depart at 6.45am but we are not sure of what will happen next,” the source added.
Some passengers were seen approaching customer care for a refund, while some were waiting in disbelief as at 7:45am.
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The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) had announced on Tuesday that it will be conducting a joint border security exercise codenamed Ex-Swift Response in conjunction with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to secure Nigeria’s land and maritime borders.
A statement signed by Joseph Attah added that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), as well as the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security and intelligence agencies, will be involved in the exercise.
“The joint exercise is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and will take place in four geopolitical zones, namely; South-South, South-West, North-Central and North-West. It is expected that the exercise will promote interagency cooperation and increase preparedness to address trans-border security challenges such as terrorism, armed banditry, smuggling, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, amongst others.
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“The exercise will also involve the movement of personnel, vehicles and equipment within the affected parts of the country. Therefore, we call on members of the public not to panic and should continue to engage in their normal duties. The overall objective is to ensure a peaceful and secure country in the interest of our national security,” the customs spokesman said.
Transporters in Amuwo-Odofin, however, told passengers there was no prior notice of border closure.
Mr Attah had not responded to a message sent to his phone on the subject as at the time of filing this report.
