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Nigerian travellers have lamented increased hostility at Niger borders, saying they face harassment and extortion without anyone coming to their aid.
This was as former envoys called for a response from the Federal Government to the disrespect to the country.
A businessman in Agadez, Niger Republic, Mallam Haruna Allah, said the maltreatment of Nigerians in the country had worsened.
Allah lamented that security agents in Niger demanded hefty bribes from travellers, adding that Nigerians were being forced to pay up to 20,000 CFA (about N50,000) to pass through the border, regardless of their legal documentation.
According to him, those with passports are not spared, as they are often charged additional amounts, which is exacerbating the financial strain on Nigerians trying to maintain their trade relations.
“The security agents are now using the current situation to exploit us, especially anyone from Nigeria.
“As you know, ECOWAS passports are not accepted again; before you can pass through their country, you must have a valid passport, and even with that, they will still collect about 20,000 CFA, which is equivalent to about N50,000 Nigeria money.
“The same security agents if the travelers are from either Mali or Burkina Faso will only ask them to pay 5,000 CFA, but others in Nigeria pay through their nose,” he stated.
Allah highlighted the stark contrast between Nigerians and other African nationals, such as those from Mali or Burkina Faso, who paid significantly lower fees at checkpoints.
“Some of our people are even turned away with their goods if they fail to communicate effectively. The situation is getting out of hand as more people are suffering in their hands on a daily basis, which was not like that before.
“No matter the level of documentation you hold, these people will still harass you at their check points; all these were not like that before this period. We should be given the same right asother African citizens,” he added.
Another businessman, Alhaji Abdulazeez Gazali, condemned the unfair treatment.
“We are being milked for money with dubious taxes,” he stated, adding that the payment of a 20,000 CFA fee on top of the passport requirement has become a regular and unjust burden on Nigerians.
This exploitation is not confined to official checkpoints. Checks by our correspondents showed that smaller, unofficial checkpoints along the roads further compound the issue.
Gazali reported that travellers must pay between 1,000 and 5,000 CFA at the smaller checkpoints just to continue their journey, a sharp increase from pre-ECOWAS withdrawal times.
“All these are not like that before the issue of ECOWAS withdrawal; it is like the country now has a special law for people coming from Nigeria,” he said.
A commercial motorcycle operator who regularly crosses into Niger, Malam Nuhu Audu, revealed that security agents demanded a minimum of 5,000 CFA from every passenger.
“If you do not have a passport, they will turn you back immediately.
“It has become impossible for us to pass freely, and the moment they see a Nigerian, they see an enemy,” he stated.
Audu further emphasised the dangers of travelling through illegal routes, where people might face worse consequences if caught by the authorities.
“If they catch you going through the bushes, you will suffer,” he said, implying that it was safer to pay the extortion fees at official checkpoints rather than risk harsher treatment through unregulated routes.
A Nigerian trader, Alhaji Imran Hussain, revealed that his goods had been held up at a border town in Attis for the past three days.
According to Hussain, the security checks along the route from Konni to Attis are excessive, with over 10 different checkpoints where officials demand payments, which he said often exceed the value of the goods he is transporting.
“The situation is not funny at all,” Hussain said.
“We have been here begging for clearance, even though I have all the necessary documents. Unfortunately, someone traveling with me does not have documentation for the local animal feeds he is carrying which has caused additional delays.”
A commercial driver, Shehu Ibrahim, who frequently travels from Sokoto to Niger Republic, echoed similar concerns.
Ibrahim lamented that the new regulations in Niger, which made it more difficult for visitors from Nigeria to gain access, had severely impacted his business.
He noted that it had become increasingly difficult to find passengers willing to travel to Niger due to the strict documentation checks.
“I had to return home last week with some passengers who could not gain access to Niger because of documentation issues,” Ibrahim stated.
“For years, we have had good relations with Niger, but since the military junta took power, things have changed drastically. This could lead to bigger problems if the two governments do not address these issues soon.”
Ex-envoys demand action
A former Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil and Argentina, Dele Cole, advised the Nigerian government to seek the intervention of the African Union in resolving the crisis between the country and other countries that left ECOWAS.
However, Cole noted that if a peaceful resolution failed, Nigerians should retaliate by deporting Nigeriens without ECOWAS passports.
He noted that Nigeria must respond with strict measures by also refusing Nigeriens without ECOWAS passports into the country.
“Our liberalism as far as Nigeriens are concerned should stop because there are so many Nigeriens here with ECOWAS passports; we should begin to fish them out and send them back home,” Cole said.
A retired ambassador, Yemi Farounmbi, noted that with the creation of a new regional body, Niger no longer viewed Nigeria as part of the same regional group.
This shift in political alignment has allowed Nigerien authorities to treat Nigerians as outsiders.
“They are no longer looking at Nigerians as fellow members of the same regional body called ECOWAS. They are therefore treating us as aliens because they are now in a different regional body.
“As a result, the treatment of Nigerians has shifted dramatically, with security forces now viewing them as outsiders rather than fellow West Africans. This is a consequence of our action or inaction,” Farounmbi said.
Another ex-envoy, Rasheed Akinkuolie, suggested that the exploitation of Nigerian travellers might be the action of corrupt border officials who had long profited from extortion.
A former ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, advised the President to appoint a special envoy on the Sahel crisis within ECOWAS to bring an amicable settlement to the issue.
Amedu-Ode noted Nigeria should also push for being granted observer status within the Sahel so it could keep an eye and ear on whatever was going on there.
When contacted on Friday, the Head of Communication for the ECOWAS Commission, Joel Ahofodji, stated that the regional body was unaware of Niger Republic’s decision to bar entry to holders of ECOWAS passports.
NIS probes claims
The Nigeria Immigration Service said it had started an investigation into the matter.
A senior official of the service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that no official notification had been received from Nigerien authorities regarding such a policy.
The official explained that standard diplomatic protocol required a formal communication to the affected country in cases of such non-acceptance.
He said, “If they are not going to accept our papers, they are meant to inform us. But as I speak, we don’t have any notification to that effect. We are investigating the matter to determine the true situation. It could be a few isolated cases or some overzealous security agents. Another reason could be Niger’s withdrawal from ECOWAS. Nonetheless, that shouldn’t be the case because many of our people in Sokoto and other northern states bordering Niger share strong ties.”
The official assured that the NIS would continue its investigation, and appropriate authorities would take necessary steps once the facts were established.
The NIS spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, declined comment when contacted on the matter.
But a government source hinted that a new visa framework was being developed to address instances where Nigerians faced discrimination.
“All the issues of disrespecting our citizens by other countries would soon be put to rest. We have a new visa policy underway. The principle of reciprocity will be well entrenched in the policy.
“Reciprocity means you treat Nigerians well, we will do the same, but if you do otherwise, this could also affect your citizens,” the source said.
A former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi, said the interest of Nigeria should be defended by all means.
Farounbi noted that behind-the-scene moves were likely to yield a more positive response for Nigeria than simply speaking out.
He recommended that the President utilise all available diplomatic avenues to resolve the issue.
“We have a long boundary with Niger and this is a boundary that is not physically defined. This is because of the standing issue of the area. Nigeria has a longstanding relationship with Niger. Nigeria should explore all avenues to resolve this issue,” Farounbi said.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be responsible for addressing the issue with Canada.
