CROSS-BORDER TRADE AND SECURITY IMPLICATIONS TO NORTH-EASTERN NIGERIA WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO BORNO STATE: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW.

This paper examines trans-border trade and security in North-Eastern Nigeria with particular reference to Borno State. The phenomenal rise in smuggling of goods such as money landering and drug trafficking and other trans-border crimes within the border areas with Borno State has generated much concerns to scholars and policy makers. Trans-border trade is growing in scale and momentum without a corresponding clear and coordinate strategy for dealing with this hydra-headed monster in the sub-region. This significantly affects the economies of not only Borno, North-Eastern region of Nigeria but also the countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Cross-Border trade affect the joint security effort and stability of the continent of Africa. The stability of a country in terms of physical security is necessary for economic development when considered within the context of trans-border trade. In a continued search for better understanding and cooperation, states or security gestures of good neighbourliness become imperative. The intensification of industrialization that harps on the production of qualitative products that can compete effectively with imported or smuggled products, the country can then truly benefit from globalization and smuggling will be rendered unattractive considering the fact that Nigeria has a land border as well as over 4,000skm running from Malaville, North of the Republic of Benin, stretching through Kebbi State, Sokoto, Kistna, Jigawa, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno and then to Cameroon, up till Mfum in Cross River state, bordering Cameroon, for operatives of the Nigeria customs, immigration and Nigeria drug law enforcement agent on one hand and on the other hand the army of unrepentant smugglers, it is made possible by the thousands of illegal crossing on these borders. Problems caused by porous borders in Borno State over the years, almost put the economy of the country to a halt. The government therefore, needs to evolve a new approach to securing the border, one that includes as integrated mix of development-inventions for border communities trained and dedicated officials and enhanced border situation awareness infrastructure.