Nigeria President Extends Border Closure to Jan. 31, Punch Says

(Bloomberg) -- President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the closure of Nigeria’s border with neighboring countries to Jan. 31, Lagos-based Punch newspaper reported.

Land borders with countries including Benin and Niger have been partially closed since Aug. 20 in a move meant to curb the smuggling of large quantities of rice and other commodities.

The extension is necessary to achieve the government’s strategic objectives, the newspaper reported, citing customs official Victor Dimka. The operation has resulted in security and economic benefits, it added.

The blockade has had a ripple effect across West Africa, with factories and traders struggling to import key raw materials and having to use alternative routes for their exports, according to the Lagos Chamber of Commerce.

“That date is not the terminal date for the border closure, it is the end of the first phase. The border will remain closed until set objectives are achieved,” Customs spokesman, Joseph Attah said by phone.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tope Alake in Lagos at talake@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anthony Osae-Brown at aosaebrown2@bloomberg.net, Sara Marley, Lars Paulsson

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