The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has declared that just two checkpoints on the Mile 2-Seme border access route have received approval from the Federal Government. This action aims to ensure smoother circulation of people and products without jeopardizing national security, reduce the number of checkpoints, and stop extortion. Comptroller Wale Adenuga, Comptroller of the Seme border area command, who announced this over the weekend explained that the approved checkpoints are located at Gbaji and Agbara along the Badagry-Seme road. In order to resolve trade bottlenecks and coordinate border operations, the Comptroller organized a significant stakeholders’ forum that included traditional leaders, security agencies, and customs officials from the Benin Republic. He underlined at the discussion that any Customs roadblock other than these two is unlawful and ought to be made public. The Comptroller also issued a warning, stating that the development of unlawful checkpoints, which he said have been a cause of annoyance for traders and drivers, will no longer be tolerated by the Nigeria Customs Service’s Seme Command. The improvement is anticipated to facilitate the flow of people and commodities along the Mile 2-Seme route, a vital trade route connecting Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, he said. Gbaji and Agbara are the Federal Government-approved checkpoints with which Customs collaborates. For Customs, that is. If you see another Customs checkpoint, it’s illegal. For the Seme Command, I may say: Gbaji and Agbara are the authorized and authentic checkpoints. Patrols are merely for reinforcement and intervention. There are police on duty at our patrol base, and they are readily available for reinforcement. To supplement the permanent officers in Gbaji and Agbara, we have deployed a few teams there. Although they are there to provide reinforcement, they are not permanent at Agbara. Seme checks are not present on the highways in Mowo or anywhere else. Expose them if you see them. The media ought to assist us. You are the ones who can contribute to the development of this nation, therefore do your research.
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