Why Nigeria Borders Will Remain Closed – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said the decision to partially shut down Nigeria’s borders is purely to safeguard national security.

He made this known when he received President Roch Marc Christian Kabore of Burkina Faso at the Presidential Villa.

According to Buhari, the decision to open or keep the border closed will be determined by a report of the tripartite committee made up of Nigeria, Benin and Niger Republic.

“Our major problem is security — the inflow of weapons, ammunition and drugs,” he said.

“We have witnessed a decline in banditry using such weapons since the partial closure of the border.

“Also, our farmers are now able to sell their rice since we stopped the inflow of foreign rice, usually dumped in the country.”

President Buhari who admitted understanding the concerns of neighbouring countries promised to find an early and enduring solution.

Naija News reports that the President of Burkina Faso had told President Buhari that he came on the visit, following the mandate of ECOWAS to resolve the issues that culminated in the partial closure of the border, adding that some of the challenges had been discussed, and agreed on.

President Roch Marc Christian Kabore also urged Buhari to reconsider the position of the country.