President Muhammadu Buhari said that the country has witnessed a decline in banditry because of the control of weapons smuggling since the partial closure of the border.
However, according to him, the land borders will remain closed until the report of the tripartite committee made up of Nigeria, Benin and Niger Republic is submitted.
Buhari stated this when he received the President of Burkina Faso, Mr Roch Marc Christian Kabore, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, February 21, 2020.
He pleaded with the agitating neighbouring West African countries to continue to exercise patience, noting that the decision to close the land borders was purely to safeguard national security.
“Our major problem is security — the inflow of weapons, ammunition and drugs. We have witnessed a decline in banditry using such weapons since the partial closure of the border,” Buhari said.
“Also, our farmers are now able to sell their rice since we stopped the inflow of foreign rice usually dumped in the country.”
He maintained that his administration will find an enduring solution to the issue, saying, “I will work as fast as I can as soon as I receive the report.”
Earlier, the President of Burkina Faso told Buhari that he was asked by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resolve the issues that culminated in the partial closure of the border.
Kabore said some of the challenges had been discussed, and agreed on, urging Buhari to reconsider the position of Nigeria on the border closure.
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