President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate reopening of the Samiya International Border in Kebbi State, a key route connecting Nigeria to the Republic of Benin.
The directive was announced on February 7, 2026, in Birnin Kebbi during a one-day official visit by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the Kebbi Area Command.
While speaking to customs officers and personnel, Adeniyi issued a strong warning against any form of collaboration with smugglers or illegal networks, stressing that attempts to undermine the Federal Government’s decision would not be tolerated.
He explained that the reopening of the border is part of efforts to improve the free movement of goods, strengthen security measures, and ensure that cargo clearance is completed within 48 hours.
According to him, the Customs Service is deploying advanced technology to monitor goods in transit and prevent diversion from approved routes.
Adeniyi also revealed that President Tinubu has authorized the movement of trucks from the Republic of Benin through Kebbi State into the Niger Republic, noting that modern tracking systems will help reduce abuse and improve transparency in transit operations.
He cautioned transporters and traders to strictly comply with transit regulations, warning that violators would face severe sanctions. Failure to adhere to the rules, he said, could disrupt trade relations and strain cooperation among neighboring countries.
The Comptroller-General was warmly received by officers of the Kebbi Area Command and was accompanied by senior officials of the Benin Republic Customs Service, led by Imura Idirisou, alongside other members of his delegation.
It will be recalled that in 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a partial closure of Nigeria’s border with Benin Republic due to widespread smuggling activities, particularly involving rice along the corridor.
