TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari says only God can effectively supervise the massive border between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

Speaking while receiving former Vice-President Namadi Sambo at the presidential villa in Abuja on Tuesday, Buhari said he knows a bit about the neighbouring West African country because of its proximity to Daura, his hometown in Katsina state.

Sambo heads the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) election mission to the Republic of Niger.

In a statement, Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, quoted the president to have said Nigeria will support Niger in its forthcoming presidential elections.

“I come from Daura, few kilometres to the Republic of Niger, so I should know a bit about that country. The president there is quite decent, and we are regularly in touch. He is sticking to the maximum term prescribed by the constitution of his country,” Buhari said.

“Also, we share more than 1,400 kilometres of border with that country, which can only be effectively supervised by God. I will speak with the President and offer his country our support. We need to do all we can to help stabilize the Sahel region, which is also in our own interest.”

On December 16, Buhari ordered the immediate reopening of four land borders in Seme in Lagos, Illela in Sokoto, Maigatari in Jigawa and Mfun in Cross River.

The president also directed that other land borders that were shut should be reopened from December 31, 2020.