Customs seeks stronger Nigeria-Benin border controls to curb smuggling

The Nigeria Customs Service has called for stronger border controls, intelligence sharing and digital verification between Nigeria and Benin Republic to curb smuggling, protect revenue and stop illicit imports from hurting local manufacturers.

Deputy Comptroller Abdulhamid Ibrahim, Acting Controller of the Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko, spoke on Wednesday at a one-day workshop organised by the Edo-Delta Journalists Forum in Igolo, Benin Republic. The theme was 'Journalism Beyond Borders: Reporting Cross-Border Relations, Trade, Security, Culture and Emerging Technologies in the Nigeria-Benin Republic Corridor.' He was represented by CSC FO Shaibu.

Price gap threatens local producers

Ibrahim said smugglers who evade import duties gain an unfair price advantage. Using noodles, he said a Nigerian manufacturer could sell a carton for N5,000 after production costs, electricity, workers' salaries and taxes, while traders using unofficial routes could sell similar products for N3,000. The gap, he warned, could weaken local manufacturers and make it hard for compliant businesses to remain competitive and profitable.

He said smuggling also deprives the Federal Government of import duties and other revenue. He called for stronger enforcement and intelligence sharing between both countries, plus better verification of import documents and duty payments, especially for vehicles imported through Benin before registration or release into the Nigerian market.

Ports, airports and product tests

Ibrahim warned that smuggling is not limited to land borders. Weak surveillance at seaports and airports could also facilitate illicit goods. He called for stronger intelligence gathering, digital verification and background checks on importing and receiving companies. He also advocated investment in specialised personnel and laboratory facilities to test imported products for safety and quality standards, working with relevant regulatory agencies.

He said: 'improved product verification and credible comparisons between locally manufactured and imported goods could boost consumer confidence in Nigerian products and support domestic manufacturing.' He urged journalists to investigate and report the economic impact of smuggling, including revenue losses and unfair competition. Coordinated action by government agencies, businesses and border communities was necessary, he said.

Diplomacy and culture

Stakeholders called for a balance between border security and legitimate trade, warning that excessive restrictions could disrupt commercial activities and livelihoods in border communities. Dr. Bonny Abisogun Botokun, Permanent Secretary of the Inter-Border Forum, urged Nigeria and Benin to use culture, traditional institutions and local diplomacy to resolve border conflicts. He said the countries are bound by deep historical, family and cultural ties.

'The people living in the borderline area, they don't see it as a separation, because they believe that it is the same community that is divided into two,' Botokun said. He noted that strict immigration and trade rules are often difficult for residents whose families, businesses and cultural activities straddle both countries. 'Diplomacy is the key. If you use diplomacy to handle these things, you will resolve so many conflicts,' he said.

Botokun, who said he had served as Permanent Secretary since 2012, urged stronger engagement with traditional rulers. 'If we use the kingdom as an example, we can resolve so many conflicts without making use of guns,' he said. He warned that attempts to completely restrict traditional festivals and cultural practices involving communities on both sides could push residents to informal routes. He recalled meetings with Nigerian authorities, traditional rulers, mayors and other stakeholders after taking office in 2012, which he said helped establish the Inter-Border Forum as a platform for local diplomacy and dispute prevention.

For Nigerian businesses, tighter verification and duty checks go to the heart of fair competition. Smuggled goods that skip duties can undercut compliant manufacturers, pressure jobs and deny government revenue.