Land borders have been closed by the President Buhari’s administration since about eight months ago and many Nigerians are beginning to get used to it in especially in the southern parts of the country.
However, the story does not appear to be the same in the northern parts of the country. An investigation carried out by a Premium Times journalist revealed that though the land borders are closed, there are so many paths to smuggle goods and petroleum products outside the country simply because of their higher rates.
A Forte Oil retail station is the last of such service facility to Nigeria’s Illela, Sokoto State border with the Niger Republic. The station is now closed following a custom policy banning the supply of petroleum products to stations within 20 kilometres of Nigeria’s land borders.
Nevertheless, it is a hub of activity, serving an inverted purpose.
One January morning, dry and cold, packs of Bigi juice were being arranged in tens in sacks, and 20-litre cans containing petrol were there also. Despite the official closure of Nigeria’s land borders, these goods would be transported for higher margins to Kwani in the Niger Republic following irregular routes.
PREMIUM TIMES investigation shows that smugglers are still able to engage their illicit transborder trade relying on Okada riders and compromised customs and immigration officers who take bribes to allow passage through illegal routes.
The customs in November commenced a controversial cut of petroleum products supplies to stations within 20 kilometres of international borders. The step was to stop the smuggling of petroleum products to Nigeria’s neighbours where illicit dealers could make higher margins after selling subsidised products meant for the local market.
It was an extension of the wider border closure policy in place since August 2019 when Nigeria took steps explained as necessary to safeguard her economy and security.
Authorities have said the border policy has led to a reduction in the fuel consumption statistics, implying that the volume of products sold illegally across the borders fed into Nigeria’s consumption data.
But while the policy on restriction of petroleum supply to border towns is effective, smuggling still continues, PREMIUM TIMES found in the northwestern borders. The petroleum products were brought from outside the border towns. For Illela, it could be from as far away as Marmona or Gwadabawa.
The Okada riders who operate the illegal routes told this reporter – posing as a smuggler who wanted to take petrol to the Niger Republic – that they could carry up to 12 cans and each would cost N500.
“This is because there are three checkpoints to bribe (Immigration and Customs) officers,” one rider said, speaking Hausa. “We will go through the bush.
