The Republic of Niger has reportedly begun enforcing new immigration restrictions on Nigerians travelling into the country, barring the use of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) passports, while demanding a valid international passport for entry.
Remember that Niger had recently withdrawn its membership from the ECOWAS, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso. After which they had designed a new passport removing the ECOWAS logo from it.
Reports indicate that the border between Nigeria and Niger remains open, however travellers and cross-border traders are facing significant challenges at major crossing points such as Illela in Nigeria and Konni in Niger.
According to Punch, a trader identified as Alhaji Musa Abdullahi lamented that there was a move to abolish the use of ECOWAS passports for travels to Niger, which is causing hardship and harassment.
“Some of our people are being turned back home. 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”
Similarly, in Niger, it has been reported that border officials have started turning back individuals relying solely on the ECOWAS passport which is affecting traders and travellers.
Complaints of security officials exploiting the situation have also arisen. The Punch reports that a commercial driver on the Illela-Konni route, Abubakar Isa, alleged that security officials in Niger have begun exploiting the situation to extort travellers.
“They demand between 5,000 to 10,000 CFA before allowing those with an ECOWAS passport to pass. 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 bribe before you can be allow to go,” he added.
The Head of Communication ECOWAS Commission, Joel Ahofodji, in a conversation with Punch on the development, said the regional bloc was unaware of Niger Republic’s policy to bar ECOWAS passport holders.
While the border remains open, the new passport requirement has become tasking for both Nigerians and Nigeriens.
