RIPAN stated that the video that went viral on social media platforms earlier in the week was an attempt to give the impression that the federal government had approved the resumption of activities along the border.
In a statement on Friday, the Director General of the association, Andy Ekwelem, advised that such misleading information by some individuals or groups should be ignored by the public as their efforts only sought to promote the smuggling of rice from neighbouring African countries.
Ekwelem said, “Some individuals/groups seek to undermine the new government and promote illegal activities such as rice smuggling from Benin Republic, Niger Republic, and Cameroon. RIPAN urged the authorities and stakeholders to oppose the machinations of those trying to sabotage the economy and exploit Nigeria’s role in the sub-region for personal gain.
Commenting, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Customs Service, Abubakar Maiwada, explained that the country currently has no closed border, noting that the video was an old one repackaged to create a wrong impression.
He said, “All major borders are open. The video showing the Idiroko border opening is an old video that mischief makers repackaged to create a wrong narrative.”
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