Katsina State and Niger Republic's Maradi region sign cross-border bilateral agreement

NIGERIA'S Katsina State government and that of the Maradi Region in Niger Republic have signed a three-year bilateral agreement designed to check the activities of criminals operating along their common borders.

Notorious for its porous borders, Nigeria does not have any form on controls limiting movement from her neighbours, which has fuelled a thriving market in arms, smuggling and cross-border crime. Katsina State borders Niger Republic and the corridor between the state and the Maradi region has been a main conduit for arms and ammunition coming into Nigeria from Libya.

Boko Haram and other terrorists groups have used these porous borders to smuggle arms, ammunition and supplies into Nigeria and criminals often attack victims and sneak back across the border. In a bid to combat the menace, the two regional governments have signed an agreement that among other things is aimed at boosting commerce with particular attention to agriculture, which people on both sides of the border depend on as their source of livelihood.

Zakari Oumar, the governor of Maradi, said the agreement would enhance collaboration through the sharing of information between the two governments to tackle the activities of criminals at the borders. Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Sir Usman Nagogo Polo Play Ground, Katsina, he identified clashes between herdsmen and farmers as one problem the agreement would help address.

Governor Oumar said: "States like Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara among others that share a common border with Niger Republic have also indicated an interest in entering into similar agreements to ensure security in their areas. This agreement would help boost trade as well as foster brotherliness between people of his region and Katsina."

Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State said the agreement is meant to facilitate the movement of people within the two countries, enhance security and improve relationships between farmers and herders. He added that the implementation of the agreement would drastically reduce the frequent conflicts between farmers and herders operating within their domains.

Mustapha  Inuwa, the secretary to the Katsina State government, added that the agreement was made possible through the efforts of governors and officials of the two states. He said with the agreement, the issue of shielding criminals who cross into each others’ territory has largely been resolved as both sides have exhibited their commitment to tackling criminality.