The President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, has ordered the closure of the border route linking Taberu village in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria, and Tanu village in Benin Republic.
Sources, including local immigration officers and traditional leaders, confirmed that Talon’s administration also increased tariffs on these agricultural products and restricted their transport to only official border crossings.
Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, the Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Usman Umoru-Seriki, stated:
“President Talon has banned the movement of cashew nuts and soya beans through illegal routes into Nigeria. Traders are now required to use legal crossings and pay higher duties. This isn’t the first time—he took similar action against Togo last year.”
A Nigerian immigration official, who requested anonymity, also confirmed the enforcement of the closure.
