Investigations by Arewa PUNCH have revealed that the rising and unstable fuel prices, coupled with the cost of high transport fares, have greatly affected the lives of residents of border communities around the Niger and Nigeria borders

As a result of fuel price increases and its unstable nature, the volume of trade between the border communities in Zamfara State in Nigeria and the neighbouring Niger Republic has drastically reduced.

Our correspondent reports that the border communities in Zamfara State are still carrying out their business and social activities with their neighbouring Niger communities without any security or regulatory restrictions since 2023.

A visit by Arewa PUNCH to some communities in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State bordering Niger Republic further showed that there has been no restriction of movements of both goods and services, as residents and traders were seen going into Niger Republic or coming from there into Nigeria without any form of hindrance.

In Gurbin Bore town of Zurmi LGA of the state, a businessman who gave his name as Alhaji Buhari confirmed that the borders have been reopened since 2023, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came to power.

As a result, Buhari stressed that the statement by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that he would reopen the borders if he was elected as president of this country in 2027 was laughable, as, according to him, there was no restriction of movement between Nigeria and Niger Republic since the time President Tinubu came to power.

“He said, “The pronouncement by former President Atiku Abubakar that he would reopen borders if he became President is not only laughable, but also balderdash because, as I am talking to you now, all borders are reopened since 2023.

“I don’t know where Atiku has been for all these years. This is an indication that he doesn’t know anything about the plight of border communities,” he pointed out.