The Rice Processors Association of Nigeria, RIPAN, has alleged that persons and groups who do not wish the Nigerian economy well are behind the re-circulation of an old video where the Idiroko Border was re-opened.
A video trending on social media gave the impression that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had recently instructed the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, to re-open the Idiroko border for import and export of goods and services.
The NCS has since dismissed the video, saying that the country presently “has no closed border”.
Reacting to the development, the Director General of RIPAN, Andy Ekwelem, in a statement forwarded to PRNigeria on Friday, maintained that the trending old video has no bearing or in any way connected to any policy of the newly-inaugurated administration.
Mr Ekwelem said: “It is essential that we bring this information to your attention and to remind everyone of the importance of staying vigilant and not be misled by sensational news trends.
“The Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN) suspects that some enemies of Nigeria’s economy are behind this circulating fake video and it has become important to inform the general public that those behind the video are individuals or groups who seek to undermine the new government and promote illegal activities such as rice smuggling from our neighbour countries of Benin Republic, Niger Republic and Cameroun for their personal gain.
“We urge the government and all stakeholders to remain watchful and to avoid falling prey to the machinations of those who seek to sabotage our economy and exploit our kind big brotherly role within the West African sub-region for their personal gain.
“We encourage all Nigerians to report any smuggling activity or information that may undermine the progress of our agricultural sector to the Nigeria Custom Services.
“Indeed we must all work together to build a stronger economy that benefits all Nigerians.
“The Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN) is dedicated to supporting the efforts of the federal government to improve the food security well-being of Nigerians, and we remain committed to facilitating communication and collaborations towards this goal,” he said.
