Abba Moro
simply stood there, ramrod, hands akimbo, mouth opened wide. Mind you, he is
Nigeria’s Internal Affairs Minister.The sight was shocking; even to
him. Welcome to Seme, Nigeria’s notorious border point to the West.
The same thing replicates itself at the Idi’roko Border post.
simply stood there, ramrod, hands akimbo, mouth opened wide. Mind you, he is
Nigeria’s Internal Affairs Minister.The sight was shocking; even to
him. Welcome to Seme, Nigeria’s notorious border point to the West.
The same thing replicates itself at the Idi’roko Border post.
The scenario
simply reinforces the claim that Nigeria’s borders are porous.
simply reinforces the claim that Nigeria’s borders are porous.
Chaos rules!
Traders carry out their activities in such a manner that you cannot tell when
you have crossed the border. Observing the activities at the border, in
fact, you may be on the Nigerian side and be haggling with a trader on the
Benin Republic side.
You can buy any item of your choice ranging from rice to vegetable oil,
household items, etc, with either the Naira or Cefa, currencies used in Nigeria
and Benin Republic, respectively.
Traders carry out their activities in such a manner that you cannot tell when
you have crossed the border. Observing the activities at the border, in
fact, you may be on the Nigerian side and be haggling with a trader on the
Benin Republic side.
You can buy any item of your choice ranging from rice to vegetable oil,
household items, etc, with either the Naira or Cefa, currencies used in Nigeria
and Benin Republic, respectively.
This conversation ensued between Sunday Vanguard and a frozen food
seller at the Idi’roko Border which, just like the Seme Border, is not
different from a bustling market:
How much is a carton of chicken?
Big or small?
seller at the Idi’roko Border which, just like the Seme Border, is not
different from a bustling market:
How much is a carton of chicken?
Big or small?
What do you mean big or small?
If na small size or big size you want?
If na small size or big size you want?
How much is big and how much is small?
Na N4750 for small and N6,800 for big
Na N4750 for small and N6,800 for big
What’s the difference?
Oga you wan buy abi you dey ask
(At this point you change your language and level with her)
Oga you wan buy abi you dey ask
(At this point you change your language and level with her)
Madam I wan buy? (A car
speeds past you, raising dust and you ask a question which angers the seller). But this dust no go spoil this
chicken?
Oga I beg no spoil market for me go.
speeds past you, raising dust and you ask a question which angers the seller). But this dust no go spoil this
chicken?
Oga I beg no spoil market for me go.
This
conversation at the Idi’roko Border post was so funny because the frozen food
seller, a Nigerian, was actually on the Benin republic side of the border.
conversation at the Idi’roko Border post was so funny because the frozen food
seller, a Nigerian, was actually on the Benin republic side of the border.
The language
spoken by most of the traders on either side is Yoruba, spiced with the
truncated English Language known as pidgin. Although there are checkpoints with
uniformed personnel manning some points, you can hardly distinguish between the
Nigerian border and that of the other country.
spoken by most of the traders on either side is Yoruba, spiced with the
truncated English Language known as pidgin. Although there are checkpoints with
uniformed personnel manning some points, you can hardly distinguish between the
Nigerian border and that of the other country.
People pass
through the checkpoints unchecked.
Even the vehicles that pass through the checkpoints are not checked.
Neither are the passengers.
through the checkpoints unchecked.
Even the vehicles that pass through the checkpoints are not checked.
Neither are the passengers.
The vehicles
are cleared on the presentation of receipts showing that they had made some
payments. There are no Nigerian flags flying, neither is any
imposing structure to signpost Nigeria as the giant of
Africa there.
are cleared on the presentation of receipts showing that they had made some
payments. There are no Nigerian flags flying, neither is any
imposing structure to signpost Nigeria as the giant of
Africa there.
Yet, this is
Seme Border, where goods worth billions of Naira are imported into the country
annually from the Republic of Benin, with duties running into billions too.
Seme Border, where goods worth billions of Naira are imported into the country
annually from the Republic of Benin, with duties running into billions too.
Goods
imported into Nigeria through the border include second hand vehicles popularly
known as Tokunbo, rice, vegetable oil and household items. And because of the
unsavoury educational schedule in Nigeria, especially at the tertiary level,
Republic of Benin has become a haven for university education for Nigerian
parents who can afford it for their children.
imported into Nigeria through the border include second hand vehicles popularly
known as Tokunbo, rice, vegetable oil and household items. And because of the
unsavoury educational schedule in Nigeria, especially at the tertiary level,
Republic of Benin has become a haven for university education for Nigerian
parents who can afford it for their children.
The
immigration officer in charge of the Seme Border, Mr Ogbe Jae, captured the
situation when he said immigration activities at the border were virtually nil
at some point. Jae told a nonplussed minister of interior, Moro, who visited
the border on an on-the-spot assessment of the situation there: “The only
people who clear with Immigration here are students because when they want to
go for National Youth Service Corps, they must present evidence that they
schooled in Cotonou and that is why they clear with us.”
Jae said there were matters to be resolved and agreement that needed to be
signed for the Immigration at the Seme Border to function well.
According to him, up till the time of the minister’s visit, the Immigration and
other Nigerian security outfits at the border were not allowed to carry
ammunitions or fly the Nigerian flag.
immigration officer in charge of the Seme Border, Mr Ogbe Jae, captured the
situation when he said immigration activities at the border were virtually nil
at some point. Jae told a nonplussed minister of interior, Moro, who visited
the border on an on-the-spot assessment of the situation there: “The only
people who clear with Immigration here are students because when they want to
go for National Youth Service Corps, they must present evidence that they
schooled in Cotonou and that is why they clear with us.”
Jae said there were matters to be resolved and agreement that needed to be
signed for the Immigration at the Seme Border to function well.
According to him, up till the time of the minister’s visit, the Immigration and
other Nigerian security outfits at the border were not allowed to carry
ammunitions or fly the Nigerian flag.
His words,
“There are several matters to be resolved by the Federal Government and
agreements to be signed before we could be allowed to carry ammunitions here.
When the agreements are signed, that is when we can carry arms at this
border.
“There are several matters to be resolved by the Federal Government and
agreements to be signed before we could be allowed to carry ammunitions here.
When the agreements are signed, that is when we can carry arms at this
border.
“The
building of the border house was awarded by government but the
Nigeria Immigration, which is supposed to be the first people you will meet
when crossing the border, is sandwiched such that we are not the first any
longer.
building of the border house was awarded by government but the
Nigeria Immigration, which is supposed to be the first people you will meet
when crossing the border, is sandwiched such that we are not the first any
longer.
“With this
arrangement, you cannot control illegal immigrants crossing because there are
several routes they pass at the back which lead them to the Republic of Benin.
Even where we stand right now is Republic of Benin and there is hardly anything
you can do to stop anybody because we are staying on their land”.
arrangement, you cannot control illegal immigrants crossing because there are
several routes they pass at the back which lead them to the Republic of Benin.
Even where we stand right now is Republic of Benin and there is hardly anything
you can do to stop anybody because we are staying on their land”.
Jae stressed
further, “You cannot fly the Nigerian flag here until those agreements are
signed; so if anybody slaps you, you cannot use gun or harass anybody here
because we have been sandwiched in-between the security agencies of Benin
Republic and it is their flag that is flying in full here.”
further, “You cannot fly the Nigerian flag here until those agreements are
signed; so if anybody slaps you, you cannot use gun or harass anybody here
because we have been sandwiched in-between the security agencies of Benin
Republic and it is their flag that is flying in full here.”
Moro, who
was apparently taken aback by what the immigration officer said, stated, “Do
you have the report?
was apparently taken aback by what the immigration officer said, stated, “Do
you have the report?
“If yes,
please I need a comprehensive report on my table because I need to act on it
immediately”.
please I need a comprehensive report on my table because I need to act on it
immediately”.
The minister
went further, “Honestly, I am surprised and I don’t even know where to start
from now. What it means is that Nigeria has no border here (at Seme) just like
I said of Idi’roko. It is only your uniform that makes you Immigration officers
and not that you are actually doing the work of an Immigration officer. I
find everything here confusing”.
went further, “Honestly, I am surprised and I don’t even know where to start
from now. What it means is that Nigeria has no border here (at Seme) just like
I said of Idi’roko. It is only your uniform that makes you Immigration officers
and not that you are actually doing the work of an Immigration officer. I
find everything here confusing”.
Earlier he
had visited Idi’roko Border where he was alarmed at the state of
the infrastructural facilities at the office of the Immigration there.
had visited Idi’roko Border where he was alarmed at the state of
the infrastructural facilities at the office of the Immigration there.
He shook his
head in disbelief at what he saw throughout the visit.
head in disbelief at what he saw throughout the visit.
According to
Moro, his decision to pay the visit to both borders was borne out of the
reports he had been getting that Nigeria did not have adequate Immigration
services at both borders, a situation which makes it easy for miscreants to
enter Nigeria easily.
Moro, his decision to pay the visit to both borders was borne out of the
reports he had been getting that Nigeria did not have adequate Immigration
services at both borders, a situation which makes it easy for miscreants to
enter Nigeria easily.
This
assertion, he said, made him leave Abuja and headed for Lagos enroute Idi’roko
and Seme on unscheduled visits to see things by himself and to enable his
ministry arrest the insecurity situation in Nigeria.
assertion, he said, made him leave Abuja and headed for Lagos enroute Idi’roko
and Seme on unscheduled visits to see things by himself and to enable his
ministry arrest the insecurity situation in Nigeria.
From the
Airport in Ikeja, it took the minister, his entourage and this reporter over
two hours, despite the siren blaring pilot car leading the convoy, to arrive
the Idi’roko Border. Upon arrival, Moro headed to the Immigration office and
inquired about who was in charge.
Airport in Ikeja, it took the minister, his entourage and this reporter over
two hours, despite the siren blaring pilot car leading the convoy, to arrive
the Idi’roko Border. Upon arrival, Moro headed to the Immigration office and
inquired about who was in charge.
Many of the
Immigration officers on duty did not even recognize him and some of them had to
inquire from those on the entourage before they realized the man standing right
there with them was the minister of interior.
Immigration officers on duty did not even recognize him and some of them had to
inquire from those on the entourage before they realized the man standing right
there with them was the minister of interior.
Upon
the realisation of the personality with them, calls were made to the top
echelon of the Immigration at the border and, within minutes, all was set to conduct
the minister round the premises which also houses the Customs, National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among other security outfits.
the realisation of the personality with them, calls were made to the top
echelon of the Immigration at the border and, within minutes, all was set to conduct
the minister round the premises which also houses the Customs, National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among other security outfits.
The first
thing that caught the attention of Moro was the decaying infrastructure at the
premises of the Immigration. The offices could be likened to what was recently
shown on Channels Television about the decaying infrastructure at the
Police College, Ikeja.
thing that caught the attention of Moro was the decaying infrastructure at the
premises of the Immigration. The offices could be likened to what was recently
shown on Channels Television about the decaying infrastructure at the
Police College, Ikeja.
The
environment was virtually a piggery while darkness took over the entire place
due to lack of electricity and the entire surrounding had market men and women
buying and selling.
environment was virtually a piggery while darkness took over the entire place
due to lack of electricity and the entire surrounding had market men and women
buying and selling.
It was also
observed that all the offices lacked basic needs like air conditioners, tables
and chairs while the whole environment could be likened to a dungeon.
observed that all the offices lacked basic needs like air conditioners, tables
and chairs while the whole environment could be likened to a dungeon.
There were
electrical wires all over the offices, unused water tanks littered the
environment while the toilets and bathrooms were nothing to write home
about.
electrical wires all over the offices, unused water tanks littered the
environment while the toilets and bathrooms were nothing to write home
about.
Checking the
other facilities in place at the Immigration office, the minister could not
help but ask, “Is this the kind of environment you people operate
in and you do not care about your health? This is worrisome that all is
happening here and nobody is bringing it to the attention of government”.
other facilities in place at the Immigration office, the minister could not
help but ask, “Is this the kind of environment you people operate
in and you do not care about your health? This is worrisome that all is
happening here and nobody is bringing it to the attention of government”.
As if that
wasn’t enough, the visit to the demarcation called border between Nigeria and
Benin Republic left the minister in a bigger shock. The borders had no
gates! Rather the demarcation was done with bamboo trunks which could not
guarantee any security or serious scrutiny to stop people from coming in
and out of the Nigeria.
wasn’t enough, the visit to the demarcation called border between Nigeria and
Benin Republic left the minister in a bigger shock. The borders had no
gates! Rather the demarcation was done with bamboo trunks which could not
guarantee any security or serious scrutiny to stop people from coming in
and out of the Nigeria.
The reaction
of Moro, on sighting the bamboo was: “How do you differentiate between
Nigerians and Benin Republic citizens here, especially with this free movement
in and out? “How do you know people who are entering Nigeria to cause
mayhem or those people that are miscreants?”
of Moro, on sighting the bamboo was: “How do you differentiate between
Nigerians and Benin Republic citizens here, especially with this free movement
in and out? “How do you know people who are entering Nigeria to cause
mayhem or those people that are miscreants?”
He left
the border and headed to the Customs office where he was welcomed by
Customs Area Comptroller, Ogun State, Prince Ade Dosumu.
the border and headed to the Customs office where he was welcomed by
Customs Area Comptroller, Ogun State, Prince Ade Dosumu.
The
minister’s first reaction on arrival was the well organised and neat
environment in which the Customs personnel were working. He commended the
Customs Comptroller for taking the initiative of working in a well
arranged and hygienic environment just as he tasked the Immigration to borrow a
cue from the Customs. Moro stated that there was the need
for a synergy among all security operatives at the border in order to arrest
the insecurity situation in Nigeria.
minister’s first reaction on arrival was the well organised and neat
environment in which the Customs personnel were working. He commended the
Customs Comptroller for taking the initiative of working in a well
arranged and hygienic environment just as he tasked the Immigration to borrow a
cue from the Customs. Moro stated that there was the need
for a synergy among all security operatives at the border in order to arrest
the insecurity situation in Nigeria.
His words,
“There is need for a synergy among security outfits at this border to properly
address the influx of insurgents into Nigeria because, without collaboration,
there will be a problem in arresting this insecurity problem Nigeria is
presently going through.
“My visit here is to ensure our borders are properly guarded and I think the
Customs, Immigration and all other security agencies must come together. I am
impressed by the Customs but disappointed by the other sections here”.
“There is need for a synergy among security outfits at this border to properly
address the influx of insurgents into Nigeria because, without collaboration,
there will be a problem in arresting this insecurity problem Nigeria is
presently going through.
“My visit here is to ensure our borders are properly guarded and I think the
Customs, Immigration and all other security agencies must come together. I am
impressed by the Customs but disappointed by the other sections here”.
He further
said, “You people here represent the first touch when anybody wants to enter
Nigeria, but with this open border without any control, the possibility of
hoodlums, terrorists with their devilish acts entering Nigeria is made easy
especially when you use bamboo and blocks to make a demarcation, it cannot stop
any hoodlum from entering Nigeria”.
said, “You people here represent the first touch when anybody wants to enter
Nigeria, but with this open border without any control, the possibility of
hoodlums, terrorists with their devilish acts entering Nigeria is made easy
especially when you use bamboo and blocks to make a demarcation, it cannot stop
any hoodlum from entering Nigeria”.
The
minister, however, disclosed that the Federal Government will build a
plaza at the border. His words, “Our plan is to build a plaza at this
borderline to further improve on our security situation while effort is in
place to repair all dilapidated infrastructures at the offices”.
minister, however, disclosed that the Federal Government will build a
plaza at the border. His words, “Our plan is to build a plaza at this
borderline to further improve on our security situation while effort is in
place to repair all dilapidated infrastructures at the offices”.
Responding,
Comptroller of Customs, Ogun State Command, Dosumu, commended the minister
for the visit to the border just as he stressed that there was a lot
government could do to strengthen the security outfits at the border. He said
Idi’roko border is one of the oldest borders in Nigeria but no sitting minister
had visited the border to look at the infrastructure on ground and
the need to improve on them.
Comptroller of Customs, Ogun State Command, Dosumu, commended the minister
for the visit to the border just as he stressed that there was a lot
government could do to strengthen the security outfits at the border. He said
Idi’roko border is one of the oldest borders in Nigeria but no sitting minister
had visited the border to look at the infrastructure on ground and
the need to improve on them.
His words,
“This border is one of the oldest borders in Nigeria and it has been like this
from time immemorial. Before and since my assumption here, this is the first
time a minister is visiting and we are happy to have you here, it shows you
want to see things for yourself. We commend your courage”.
“This border is one of the oldest borders in Nigeria and it has been like this
from time immemorial. Before and since my assumption here, this is the first
time a minister is visiting and we are happy to have you here, it shows you
want to see things for yourself. We commend your courage”.
He went
further, “There is synergy among the security agencies operating here and we
are trying to improve on the infrastructural amenities to ensure we have a
hygienic environment”.
further, “There is synergy among the security agencies operating here and we
are trying to improve on the infrastructural amenities to ensure we have a
hygienic environment”.
Dosumu allayed
the fear of Moro, saying there was 24-hour surveillance at the
border and the agencies working with their Benin Republic counterparts at
ensuring the border was safe for all.
the fear of Moro, saying there was 24-hour surveillance at the
border and the agencies working with their Benin Republic counterparts at
ensuring the border was safe for all.
We have
security in place to checkmate any insurgency.
The Army, the Police have put in place 24 hours surveillance and we have been
able to establish security cooperation with the agencies of Benin Republic and
that is why there are no border clashes between both countries. We
also share information and meet from time to time”, the Customs boss said.
security in place to checkmate any insurgency.
The Army, the Police have put in place 24 hours surveillance and we have been
able to establish security cooperation with the agencies of Benin Republic and
that is why there are no border clashes between both countries. We
also share information and meet from time to time”, the Customs boss said.
The
minister, before departing the Idi’roko border, also met with Mr Janvier
Akotegnov, the DPO of Igolo, a neighbouring border town in Benin Republic, in
an effort to foster collaboration between the Nigerian security operatives
and their Beninese counterparts.
Moro’s visit was concluded with a parade by men of the Customs in his
honour before his convoy departed for Seme Border around 2pm.
minister, before departing the Idi’roko border, also met with Mr Janvier
Akotegnov, the DPO of Igolo, a neighbouring border town in Benin Republic, in
an effort to foster collaboration between the Nigerian security operatives
and their Beninese counterparts.
Moro’s visit was concluded with a parade by men of the Customs in his
honour before his convoy departed for Seme Border around 2pm.
The trip to
Seme Border took several hours as the road was riddled with potholes.
We arrived at Seme Border and, from the point of arrival, everything seemed
wrong with the setting.
Seme Border took several hours as the road was riddled with potholes.
We arrived at Seme Border and, from the point of arrival, everything seemed
wrong with the setting.
The bamboo
demarcation discovered at Idi’roko replicated itself at the Seme Border while
men of Immigration and other security outfits operated from inside containers,
a situation which left the minister dejected for the several hours he
spent there. Meanwhile, what the minister did not notice was that whereas he
was conducting his visit, there were other unmarked routes through which
smugglers do their business successfully, smuggling into the country cars,
electronics, food items and many more.
demarcation discovered at Idi’roko replicated itself at the Seme Border while
men of Immigration and other security outfits operated from inside containers,
a situation which left the minister dejected for the several hours he
spent there. Meanwhile, what the minister did not notice was that whereas he
was conducting his visit, there were other unmarked routes through which
smugglers do their business successfully, smuggling into the country cars,
electronics, food items and many more.
Those
familiar with the smuggling business told Sunday Vanguard that there are dozens
of unmarked routes through which cars and food items are smuggled into Nigeria;
just as there are many more footpaths that allow for the free flow of people.
familiar with the smuggling business told Sunday Vanguard that there are dozens
of unmarked routes through which cars and food items are smuggled into Nigeria;
just as there are many more footpaths that allow for the free flow of people.
Source:Vanguard
