One week after the authorities of Nigeria Customs Service, following the directive of the Presidency, opened the Illela land border between Nigeria and Niger Republic, the government of Niger Republic on Friday opened their border in Konni for operations.
Nigeria had announced the lifting of sanctions against Niger, reopening its borders with the Sahelian nation effective immediately.
The decision revealed last Wednesday came after calls for border reopening from Kano’s governor earlier this week.
A resident of one of the border communities, Nuhu Samaila, who briefed our correspondent from Konni, in Niger Republic, said the border was declared open at exactly 12pm on Friday.
He commended the decision of the leadership of the country, the military junta, for giving a listening ear to the yearnings of the people by ensuring the border is open.
“It is a commendable effort. I am glad the government has done the needful at last. It has been our collective prayer after Nigeria opened theirs.
“I want to believe that this will help a lot in the improvement of the economy of these two countries, as it will facilitate more trading activities between Nigeria and Niger Republic,” he added. (Punch)
