WAR DECLARED? Niger Republic Bans Nigerians From Entering Their Country; SEE Set Of Nigerians Banned
In a significant shift in regional travel policies, the Republic of Niger has begun enforcing restrictions on Nigerians attempting to enter the country using ECOWAS passports. Travellers without a valid international passport are now being turned back at the border.
This development follows Niger’ s recent withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) alongside Mali and Burkina Faso.
Despite maintaining an open border with Nigeria, Nigerien authorities have implemented new immigration measures at key crossing points, including Illela (Nigeria) and Konni (Niger).
The move has caused difficulties for cross- border traders and commuters, as the ECOWAS passport is no longer recognised as a valid form of identification. Cross- border traders who rely on the free movement agreement within ECOWAS have expressed concerns about the new policy.
Alhaji Mansur Abdullah, a trader who frequently travels between Nigeria and Niger, confirmed the development, stating, ” I believe there is a move to abolish the ECOWAS passport as a means of travelling here; they have started harassing us if we are entering the country. Some of our people are being turned back home. ”
He added, ” We learnt that there is a new passport being issued now to everyone coming to Niger Republic to replace the old ECOWAS passport. Some of our people are getting scared of the aftermath of all these issues, which have started to affect our business and trading activities. ”
A source from Taiwan, a state in Niger Republic, revealed that border officials have already started turning back individuals relying solely on the ECOWAS passport. The source explained, ” Some of our people have already been sent home. The authorities insist on their own national passport, making it difficult for traders and travellers. ”
Commercial drivers and travellers have also reported cases of extortion by Nigerien security officials. Abubakar Isa, a commercial driver on the Illela- Konni route, alleged that security officials demand between 5, 000 to 10, 000 CFA before allowing those with an ECOWAS passport to pass.
He claimed, ” If you can’ t produce Niger’ s new identification document, they take you to their office and pressure you to pay a bribe. Once they stop either the vehicle or motorcycle at their border, they take you to their office and make the demand for the passport, which they know we don’ t have. They then collect money as a bribe before you can be allowed to go. ”
Despite the new immigration rules, trade and movement across the border have not been completely disrupted. Alhaji Nuhu Abubakar, a trader in Illela, confirmed that Niger’ s withdrawal from ECOWAS has had no immediate impact on trade or movement across the border.
He stated, ” We have continued our normal activities as usual, and there is no sign of an impending closure. The border remains open on both the Nigerian and Nigerien sides. We’ ve heard rumours that the military junta in Niger is considering restricting motorcycle movement between the two countries, but for now, nothing concrete has been decided. “
