Donga Mantung: SDO closes borders with Nigeria but locals oppose decision

“Business activities have been affected and the forces of law and order have intensified the process of extorting money from business men, ” says a trader in Abongshie, a border town with the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The observation of the businessman, preferring to talk in anonymity comes days after the senior divisional officer (SDO) of Donga Mantung division signed an order closing the borders of Ako and Nwa sub divisions with Taraba state in the federal Republic of Nigeria.

In an order signed May 21st, Simon Nkwenti Ndoh, SDO of Donga Mantung division says “All teristial and fluvial borders of Donga Mantung division with Taraba State in Nigeria stretching from Yang village in Nwa subdivision to Buku village in Ako subdivision should be closed till further notice”.

To the civil administrator, the decision is “…to maximise the fight against smuggling of illegal weapons, amunitions, drugs and other dangerous substances that promote insecurity of persons and their property”

According to businessmen residing in Ako and Nwa subdivisions, the instruction of the SDO of Donga Mantung division that “…no individual, group of persons or goods may transit into Donga Mantung division except with express authorization of competent authorities” is a hindrance to their daily activities with the Federal Republic of Nigeria that constitute a major business partner in the area.

As concerns defaulters of the order, SDO Simon Nkwenti Ndoh is categorical that “…any individual or group of persons caught violating the order shall be prosecuted in accordance with legal instruments in force”.

To get defaulters of the order,the SDO has instructed the divisional officers of Ako and Nwa subdivisions, the forces of law and order, mayors and traditional rulers to implement the order.

Locals think the order may instead rekindle insecurity and the activities of separatist fighters that of recent have been absent in Ako subdivision.

Ako and Nwa subdivisions in Donga Mantung division, to some inhabitants, are the most enclave areas marked by no electricity, deplorable state of roads and constant abandonment of duty posts by civil servants posted to work there.

Mbatho Ntan.

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