Nigeria and the Republic of Niger have agreed on strengthened cooperation to combat regional insecurity, curb cross-border criminality and...
Nigeria and the Republic of Niger have agreed on strengthened cooperation to combat regional insecurity, curb cross-border criminality and improve trade facilitation, as both countries intensify efforts to address terrorism and insurgency in the Sahel.
The agreement was reached on Friday, February 6, 2026, during a high-level bilateral meeting between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Niger Republic Customs Administration at the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.
Speaking at the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing cross-border security, safeguarding transit cargo and promoting seamless regional trade, particularly for landlocked neighbouring countries such as Niger.
Adeniyi said the engagement was aimed at improving cooperation on the movement of transit goods destined for Niger through Nigeria, strengthening information sharing, addressing security challenges along shared borders, reducing delays on major transit corridors and ensuring that legitimate trade contributes meaningfully to economic growth in both countries.
He congratulated the Director-General of Niger Republic Customs, Muhammadu Yaqouba, on his appointment, noting that both Customs administrations share a long-standing professional relationship built through bilateral engagements and collaborations under the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
According to the Comptroller-General, cooperation between the two countries goes beyond shared borders and is guided by international obligations, particularly Nigeria’s responsibilities under Articles 124 to 132 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantee landlocked countries access to the sea.
Adeniyi acknowledged the operational challenges faced by landlocked nations, including high transaction costs arising from dependence on neighbouring countries’ ports and infrastructure, stressing that Nigeria remains committed to facilitating trade for its neighbours regardless of political differences.
“Trade, security and regional stability are interconnected. Our commitment to facilitating transit trade for Niger and other landlocked neighbours will be sustained,” he said.
On transit bottlenecks, the Customs boss disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the provision of safe corridors and secure passage to ease the movement of trucks awaiting clearance. He assured that cargoes transiting through Nigeria—particularly from Apapa ports and Nigerian airports to neighbouring countries—would continue to be processed within 48 hours without compromising national security or economic interests.
Adeniyi also warned against diversion of transit cargo, stating that strict measures have been put in place to enforce compliance with transit regulations, adding that violators would face severe sanctions.
“Non-compliance by a few operators creates non-tariff barriers and undermines trust. We are determined to streamline documentation and eliminate avoidable bottlenecks along key corridors such as Illela–Sokoto–Kamba–Niger Republic, as well as routes linking Apapa ports and airports to neighbouring countries,” he said.
He described the meeting as the start of a renewed phase of cooperation, noting that sustained follow-up would help reduce costs, increase trade volumes and enhance the attractiveness of regional transport corridors.
Earlier, the Director-General of Niger Republic Customs, Muhammadu Yaqouba, described the visit as a working engagement between two professional Customs administrations bound by shared responsibilities. He thanked the Nigeria Customs Service for the warm reception, saying it reflected the longstanding fraternity between both countries.
Yaqouba said the visit was necessitated by challenges including the prolonged blockage of trucks transiting from the Republic of Benin to Niger and the prevailing security situation across the region.
“We face common security threats, particularly terrorism and banditry. Engagements like this provide an opportunity to find lasting solutions through cooperation and coordination,” he said.
He disclosed that Niger has intensified counter-terrorism efforts since 2024, including the launch of Operation Saran Kasa, a coordinated initiative involving all national security agencies, which he said has recorded notable successes. As part of the operation, scanners have been deployed to inspect all goods entering Niger Republic.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Major-General Garba Laka, commended Yaqouba on his appointment and extended condolences to the Government and people of Niger over the recent terrorist attack near Niamey Airport.
Laka described the incident as tragic, expressing sympathy with the families of soldiers who lost their lives, and reaffirmed the shared resolve of Nigeria and Niger to prevent a recurrence.
He said the two countries share deep historical, cultural and familial ties, especially in border communities, adding that insecurity in any part of the Sahel poses a collective threat.
“Arms trafficking, drug smuggling and the concealment of ammunition in cargo vehicles remain serious challenges that require coordinated and sustained action,” he said.
The Major-General revealed that Nigeria places high priority on Niger-related issues, including trade, energy supply and security, noting that requests from Niger—particularly on petroleum products and gas—receive prompt attention at the highest levels of government.
He called for the revival of bilateral security frameworks such as cross-border right-of-pursuit arrangements, advocating joint operations and sustained inter-agency collaboration to effectively combat terrorism and organised crime.
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