Bashir Ahmad, an aide to the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the huge loss experienced by Northern traders following the closure of the borders with Niger Republic.
TORI reported that some Northern traders had lamented the loss of about N13bn weekly due to the closure of borders in the region over the ongoing crisis in Niger Republic.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu, on August 4, 2023, ordered the closure of all borders with Niger Republic following the sanction imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Following the president’s order, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has closed the borders of Jibiya in Katsina state, Illelah in Sokoto and Maigatari in Jigawa.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the Chairman of Arewa Economic Forum, Ibrahim Dandakata, said the closer of the borders is becoming unbearable for traders to get their goods to the country.
Dandakata stated that the consequences of the border closure have been huge, saying that Northern traders lose N13bn weekly.
Reacting in a Twitter post on Monday, Ahmad expressed sympathy with the traders over the loss of about N13bn weekly due to the closure of the Nigerian borders over the political crisis in Niger.
He stated that the loss of revenue is one of the many reasons why conflict, no matter how it may be portrayed, will never be a solution to the Niger crisis.
Ahmad wrote: “Sympathizing with the traders that lamented the loss of about N13bn weekly due to the closure of the Nigerian borders over the political crisis in Niger Republic. That’s one of the many reasons why conflict, no matter how it may be portrayed, will never be a solution.
“Ibrahim Yahaya Dandakata, chairman of the Arewa Economic Forum, said the economic consequences of the closure are becoming unbearable for the traders while urging the federal government to consider opening the maje-illo border in Kebbi state.”
