Excitement best describes the way residents of Seme, Nigeria’s border with Cotonou received the news of the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari who on Wednesday ordered the immediate reopening of Nigeria’s four land borders.
The borders to be reopened, according to the president iunclude Seme in the southwest, Illela in Sokoto State, Maigatari in the northwest, and Mfun in the south-south.
On Thursday, jubilant Seme residents were seen trouping out of their “hideouts” to merry over the directive.
“We cannot wait to start our business,” one of the residents who identified himself as Jude told armadanews.
This newspaper also noticed that brisk business commenced immediately at the border point, an indication the people have been waiting for the opportunity.
Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed had conveyed the President’s directive during the 28th virtual FEC meeting on Wednesday.
Buhari also directed that other land borders be reopened by December 31, 2020.
The land borders had been closed by the federal government to curb smuggling of weapons and drugs into Nigeria.