The Courier Regulatory Department (CRD) of NIPOST on Thursday announced the closure of four companies, allegedly operating courier services without licences in the country.

Dr Simon Emeje, the Senior Assistant Post-Master-General of NIPOST, told newsmen in Lagos that three of the illegal operators were closed down in Ilorin on Monday, June 22.

Emeje, who is also the head of CRD, added that one illegal courier company- Kasmag Express, Ijora was closed down in Lagos.

The three illegal companies shut down in Ilorin are: Royal Ryders Express, Success Transport and Kwara Express, all located at Muritala Muhammed Road, Challenge Area, Ilorin.

He said that the clampdown on them was a national assignment and essential for the sanity of the courier sub-sector.

"There is this aspect of online businesses that are forcefully coming into play and engaging in courier services without licence.

"The recent development in the courier sub-sector is that there is a diversification of business into the online services, hence, the need for registration," he said.

The senior assistant post-master general said that there was the need for the clampdown because of the critical nature of the sub-sector to the nation's economy.

He said that the courier sub-sector also needed to be sanitised in the interest of investors.

According to him, the sector is very viable, but only 20 per cent of the market has been tapped, while 80 per cent remained untapped.