In 1985, prompted by economic uncertainties and a rising crime rate, the government of Buhari opened the borders (closed since April 1984) with Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon to speed up the expulsion of 700,000 illegal foreigners and illegal migrant workers.[42] Buhari is today known for this crisis; there even is a famine in the east of Niger that have been named El Buhari.[43]