The government of the Benin Republic, under the leadership of President Patrice Talon, has ordered the closure of a border route connecting Taberu, a village in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria, and Tanu, a neighbouring settlement in the Benin Republic.
According to findings by Saturday PUNCH, the decision was made to stop the movement of certain agricultural products, including cashew nuts and soya beans, across the unofficial trade route linking the two countries.
Sources in the area disclosed that following the closure of the route, President Talon also raised the duties charged on these commodities, making it tougher for traders to move their goods.
Multiple reliable sources, such as immigration personnel and traditional rulers within the region, have confirmed the development.
In a phone conversation with Saturday PUNCH, the Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Usman Umoru-Seriki, explained that President Talon had taken steps to block the illegal passage of cashew nuts and soya beans from Benin Republic into Nigeria.
“He only allowed the transportation of cashew nuts and soya beans through a legal route and imposed a higher tariff on the two produces.”
The monarch went further, stating: “Traders that want to bring soya beans and cashew nuts are made to pay higher duties and he only allows them to take the legal route. This is not the first time that he is closing the border, he closed the border against Togo last year,” he noted.
Additionally, a Nigerian immigration official, who requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak publicly, also confirmed the border closure.
