Nigeria-Seme border closure leaves thousands stranded

The federal government on Tuesday, August 20, shut down the border between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin

This caused a lot of discomfort and inconvenience for nationals of both neighbouring countries who were returning to their bases after business transactions

The spokesman of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Joseph Attah, explained that the closure was caused by a joint security exercise that may take several days.

The closure of the Nigeria-Seme border by the federal government on Tuesday, August 20, has caused serious inconvenience to citizens of both neighbouring countries.

Thousands of Nigerian and Benin Republic nationals were stranded and could not access the border as they were returning to their bases after business transactions on Wednesday, August 21.

Premium Times reports that business men and women affected by the shutdown were seen expressing anger and deep displeasure over their ordeal.

A car dealers, Alfred Eseoghene, said: “The border was closed without any information and we have thousands of Nigerians stranded in Benin Republic trying to come into Nigeria.

“The military is not allowing anybody to come in or go out through the land border. I came in through the bush partly because I have been working in Seme for years.”

Another victim of the border closure, Oyelesi Mayowa, who stated that immigration officials refused to explain the reason for the shut down, said: “Nigeria immigration are treating their fellow Nigerians like animals at the Seme border. I have been here since 6pm yesterday. I pity this country.”

However, the spokesman of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Joseph Attah, informed journalists that the closure was caused by a joint security exercise which will take several days.

Attah said: “A joint security exercise is ongoing to better secure the border. It will take several days and we have been working to ensure that it does not result in too much disruption for travellers.”