- The President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, has shut down the border route between Benin and Nigeria, specifically affecting the Taberu-Tanu border.
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The closure aims to curb the movement of agricultural products, particularly cashew nuts and soya beans, through unofficial routes into Nigeria, disrupting trade activities between the two communities.
The President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, has shut down the border route between his country and Nigeria, specifically the border linking Taberu, a village in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria, to Tanu, a neighbouring village in Benin.
The closure comes amid escalating tensions over agricultural exports and aims to curb the movement of agricultural products, particularly cashew nuts and soya beans, through unofficial routes into Nigeria.
According to sources in the region, the decision has significantly disrupted trade activities between the two communities. The Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Usman Umoru-Seriki, confirmed the development in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, stating, “He only allowed the transportation of cashew nuts and soya beans through legal routes and imposed a higher tariff on these products.”
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The Emir added that traders who wish to bring soya beans and cashew nuts are now required to pay higher duties, and only legal routes are permitted.
An immigration officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the closure.
This isn’t the first time President Talon has taken such action, having closed the border with Togo last year. The tariff hike and border closure are expected to impact trade activities between Benin and Nigeria, with traders and local authorities adapting to the new regulations.
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