Days after the reopening of the Nigeria-Niger Republic
land and air borders by the Federal Government of
Nigeria, Nigerien authorities have not said anything, even
as they maintained their entry points closed.
Nigeria announced the reopening of its borders with Niger
Republic on March 13, 2024.
While security operatives like the Nigeria Customs Service
(NCS) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have
eased movement along border communities, their
counterparts across the borders have remained adamant.
This is as residents of border communities, especially on
the Nigerian side, on Thursday expressed optimism that
with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to
reopen the borders with Niger Republic, life would be easier
for them and their neighbours, especially in terms of
trading.
President Tinubu’s directive was in line with the decision of
the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS’) Authority of Heads of State and Government at
its Extraordinary Summit on February 24, 2024 in Abuja.
The Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Kemi
Nandap, had in a follow-up to what Tinubu said, directed
that restrictions on movement at Nigeria-Niger borders be
lifted.
Nandap gave the directive through a statement signed by
the acting Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Kenneth Kure
on Thursday in Abuja.
She directed all comptrollers stationed at states and border
commands along the Nigeria-Niger Republic border to
comply promptly and lift all restrictions on human
movement.
The border closure was part of sanctions to restore
democratic order after the military intervention in Niger that
ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
The two countries heavily relied on each for economic and
social activities, among others.
The Niger–Nigeria border is 1,608 kilometres, stretching
from Sokoto through Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and
Borno states.
After the reopening of the land borders, our correspondents
in the affected states monitored the situation around the
boundary areas. Their investigations revealed that on the
Nigerian side the borders have been reopened in majority
of the areas, but it is a different story on the Nigerien side.
Residents who spoke with our correspondents said if the
two neighbouring countries reached a common ground, it
would be mutually beneficial as it would revive economic
activities in the border communities.


Long way to go in Katsina

In Katsina State, residents of the border town of Kongolam,
which is less than 20 kilometres from Daura, said security
forces on the Niger Republic side blocked their own part.
Lawan Secretary, who spoke to our correspondent said,
“Shortly after we spoke with you about the border
reopening on the Nigerian side, the Nigerien police brought
three of their operational vehicles and blocked the pathway,
using stones and sand.
“They told our people who were about to cross that they
should go back as the border had not been reopened on
their side,” he said.
Secretary, who said he was not happy with the
development, added that whatever the situation was, there
was the need for understanding between Nigeria and Niger.
“Just remember that it is not only about business
transactions, we have marital ties with the people of Niger.
“Also, remember that our people have been importing and
exporting certain commodities with extreme difficulty
through illegal entry points, spending a lot of money to find
their way.
“That alone has helped in raising the cost of commodities
because whatever you spent along the way must be
reflected in the selling price,” he said.
Corroborating the earlier response, Alhaji Lawal Planner
Kongolam, said the road that leads to Niger Republic was
blocked by the Nigerien police, cutting short the happiness
of affected persons on both sides.
He said the items mostly traded across the borders in their
axis included dates, soap and other confectionary products,
as well as grains and cattle. He added that with the high
rate of foreign exchange with regard to the CFA, cattle had
become more expensive.
He, however, expressed confidence that if there would be
mutual understanding between the Nigerian and the
Nigerien authorities, there would be gradual return of
trading activities; and hopefully, the exchange rate of the
CFA would come down.
At Jibia town, also in Katsina State, residents were in a
joyous mood, saying their lifeline would soon be restored.
Al-Mustapha Danye said many people were forced out of
business as they had eaten up their capital, but with the
latest development, there was hope for a new life.
“Our markets used to be frequented by traders from
neighbouring communities from Niger Republic. On our
part, we used to import farm produce, such as tiger nuts,
dates and beans.
“We also have other commodities that pass through Niger
on transit from Cotonou. We believe that if normalcy
returns, prices of these commodities would crash and life
would be easier for us,” he said.
Haidar Lamama, a trader and resident of Magama in Jibia,
said the border there had been opened by both Customs
and Immigration officers on the Nigerian side.
He expressed optimism that prices of all commodities
would fall and life would become easier for the people of
the area and the country in general.
When contacted, the spokesman of the Nigeria Customs
Service, Katsina Area Command, T. Y Balarabe, said the
border in Jibia was reopened following the president’s
directive.


Niger border at Maigatari still closed

Our correspondent reports that the Maigatari border in
Jigawa State was reopened on Thursday at exactly 6am,
according to high-ranking security officials in charge of the
area. However, the Niger Republic’s security operatives
have kept theirs closed.
“They have refused to open theirs, but they are not asking
anybody not to cross over into their land by foot.
“All items that are legally allowed will now be transported
through the border following the right channels. But items
that are banned remain banned. Things like beans, if you
pay duty you would be allowed to bring it into Nigeria,” one
of the officials who did not want his name mentioned
because he was not authorised to speak said.
On their part, residents of Maigatari and environs have
expressed hope that once the borders on both sides are
fully opened, the development would yield positive results.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the representative of
the district head of Maigatari, Yakubu Aminu Wakili said,
“We thank God that the border has been opened, and as
directed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, all seized
items have been returned to us.
“We now move freely but without cars. But from Niger
Republic side, they are yet to open their border. It is still
manned by security operatives.
“We cannot say anything on the reason they are yet to
reopen the borders because we also just opened ours. But
we are hopeful that they would reopen theirs.
“For business activities, we are still where we were since
the border was closed. The changes are still minimal but
we are optimistic that everything will come back to flourish
like before.”

Nigeria/Niger borders in Kebbi still shut

Similarly, despite the presidential directive that the borders
between Nigeria and Niger Republic be reopened, the
international borders in Kebbi State are still shut on both
sides as at Thursday, March 14, 2024, which was 24 hours
after the directive by President Tinubu.
Daily Trust Saturday reports that the borders at Kamba,
Kangiwa and Bachaka in the state were yet to be opened
despite the directive.
A resident of Kamba, Musa Hussein, told our correspondent
that the border was still shut and its environs isolated for
months.
He said, “They are yet to open the borders. I was there this
afternoon. What the Customs at the border told us was that
they were yet to receive a memo to open the borders.”
Our sources at Customs and Immigration commands in
Kebbi State said some top officers of the two services
were summoned to Abuja for further briefing on the border
issue.

Sokoto’s Illela border communities laud FG

Residents of Illela town in Sokoto State have expressed
happiness over the reopening of the Nigeria-Niger borders,
recounting that life was unbearable while the sanctions
lasted.
Daily Trust Saturday reports that majority of the residents of
border communities were into one form of cross-border
trade or another before the closure.
A community leader, Alhaji Musa Sarkin Alaru, said the
announcement of the reopening brought relief to many
residents.
Recounting their ordeal after the closure, he said 70 per
cent of their youths were rendered jobless and had left to
other places for greener pastures.
“But I am sure they will all come back now that the border
is reopened and continue with their trans-border trades,” he
said.
The chairman of the Marketers Association in Sokoto State,
Chika Sarkin Gishiri, also expressed optimism that the
border reopening would lead to crash in prices of some
imported commodities in the country, saying there were
many goods meant for Nigeria, which could not come into
the country because of the closure.
But one of the livestock traders in the state, Murtala Arkilla,
wondered if the reopening could lead to crash in the prices
of livestock.
Sokoto receives most of its livestock from the neighbouring
Niger Republic.
A security agent at the border post, who spoke on the
condition of anonymity, said all the security agencies there
had complied with the directive of the federal government.
“The border is now open for human and vehicular
movement,” he said.
During the official reopening, the area comptroller in charge
of Sokoto and Zamfara command, Kamal Muhammed,
charged security agencies at the border station to
collaborate with one another in the area of trade facilitation,
information and intelligence sharing for safe, efficient and
effective service delivery at the border.
He further commended Customs licenced agents and the
Illela community for their patience and cooperation during
the seven-month border closure.
Border reopening won’t change anything – Borno, Yobe
traders
In Yobe State, Adamu Kanamma, a trader who crosses to
Niger through Maino-Sorroa border in Yunusari Local
Government Area, said reopening the border would not
change anything.
“We maintained the good relationship we had with the
people of Niger even after the border closure, but a lot of
things happened within that period.
“To say that the price of food items coming into Nigeria
from Niger will drop is not possible unless the value of CFA
franc crashes to N1,500 or less because, as at yesterday
(March 13, 2024), it was N2, 570 equivalent.
“We are now buying a bag of foreign rice at N73,000 from
Niger, so how much can we sell it in the Nigerian market?”
he asked.
Another transporter from Machina town, also in Yobe, said
the number of people passing through the border had not
increased yet.
“It is like Nigeriens have become used to the sanctions,
they no longer come into Nigeria like before. It is our
traders that are taking the goods to them. Also, we face a
lot of strictness in dealing with authorities in Diffa, Maino-
Sorroa and Maradi, all in Niger,” he said.
A fish trader, Labbo Mustapha, said Nigeriens were
demanding taxes from Nigerians more than before.
“You will not sell fish in their country, and you must pay tax
for passing through their country from the Lake Chad.
“One of the disturbing situations is that they don’t collect
naira and will not give you CFA franc. But they will pay on
whatever transaction you do with naira. They have
succeeded in making their currency a scarce commodity,”
he said.

https://dailytrust.com/72hrs-after-niger-republic-prevents-entry-on-katsina-jigawa-borders/

mynd44 lalasticlala seun nlfpmod fergie001

Niger Republic got heart o !!!

What of if we do them the same

Niger teaching Tinubu a lesson in international diplomacy.

Tinubu na small boy in the eye of the world now.

If e understood what was done to him by the last election, he'd spend the next 3years begging Nigerians to accept him first.

The Nigerian military can't do much if the citizens don't support them.Many young people won't enlist and if they force anyone, those would sabotage their efforts.

Keep undermining your citizens

Asiwaju takes hasty decisions on most issues and it's not good.

Imagine Niger republic

ManirBK:
Niger Republic got heart o !!!

What of if we do them the same

Person wey no send you, no send you. You fit get pass am but he no send you and wetin you get

Naira20:
Many young people won't enlist and if they force anyone, those would sabotage their efforts.

Stop typing NONSENSE. If Nigeria goes to war today, the military will conscript EVERYBODY. From the 16-year old boy that just discovered PornHub to the 60-year old man that is just shuffling along waiting for death.

In times of war, saboteurs would be EXECUTED immediately they are discovered.

Namaster:


Stop typing NONSENSE. If Nigeria goes to war today, the military will conscript EVERYBODY. From the 16-year old boy that just discovered PornHub to the 60-year old man that is just shuffling along waiting for death.

In times of war, saboteurs would be EXECUTED immediately they are discovered.

Thousand of Nigerians would fight on the side of Niger Republic to spit the druggy parading himself as the president...that you can take to the bank..!!!

Nigeria would never win the war as there would be sabotage on an industrial scale, that also you can take the bank...!!

Infact that would quickly usher in the military after they have been given bloody nose from Niger Republic...!!

War no be snapping and posing for picture...!!! Nepotism have finished the Nigerian military...!!

Floky215:


Thousand of Nigerians would fight on the side of Niger Republic to spit the druggy parading himself as the president...that you can take to the bank..!!!

Nigeria would never win the war as there would be sabotage on an industrial scale, that also you can take the bank...!!

Infact that would quickly usher in the military after they have been given bloody nose from Niger Republic...!!

War no be snapping and posing for picture...!!! Nepotism have finished the Nigerian military...!!

The guy doesn't know what's up. Many people no longer send the name Nigeria again.

ManirBK:
Niger Republic got heart o !!!

What of if we do them the same

we lose more.

As it stands, they are better off pleasing Putin by remaining isolated and under the sphere of Russian control. Investments will flow in, food will flow in for them too.

They can always manage their relationship with Nigeria and other ECOWAS states.

Close it permanently. Our president no dey hear word.

See dry nyash ooo

ManirBK:
Niger Republic got heart o !!!

What of if we do them the same

what else can you do to Niger 🇳🇪

You sanction them, cut their electricity, blacklist them etc all of that no work. You want to invade them and get your nose bloodied


Niger has just demonstrated resilience, demystified and disgrace tinubu, and Nigeria

See shame and disgrace someone has brought to Nigeria. Niger Republic no send Nigeria under the drug baron itchy under the influence of heroin

Small yansh dey shake

ManirBK:
Niger Republic got heart o !!!

What of if we do them the same

Lol..

Somebody don move on you still dey ask questions....make you do your worse na

Niger republic is that alpha male....
Nigeria dey learn work

Those people are hardened no be all these soft boys brigade. Emilokan should be calming down.

CodeTemplar:
we lose more.

As it stands, they are better off pleasing Putin by remaining isolated and under the sphere of Russian control. Investments will flow in, food will flow in for them too.

They can always manage their relationship with Nigeria and other ECOWAS states.

How did we lose?, you just open mouth waaa. Niger is one of the poorest country in the world, Kaduna will buy the whole of Niger and collect change. These desert countries should thank Gowon who begged Tinubu on their behalf.

Niger no wan open border again?

Tinubu only reopened the border out of political concern.
He was pressured into reversing his decision.

Now that he has done the northern elites wish, he could no longer
be blamed for closed border.

The junta are indirectly doing Tinubu's wishes.

Namaster:


Stop typing NONSENSE. If Nigeria goes to war today, the military will conscript EVERYBODY. From the 16-year old boy that just discovered PornHub to the 60-year old man that is just shuffling along waiting for death.

In times of war, saboteurs would be EXECUTED immediately they are discovered.

@bolded, not really. While we don't have any basis to describe conscription in Nigeria at an international level yet (no law, no history), global history has shown that countries that do not have peacetime conscription don't generally adopt war-time conscription as soon the country goes to war but rather, it's employed after the number of available fighters gets to a certain threshold during an extended war period. Most times, the government of these countries start off by incentivizing people to join the military before eventually resorting to conscription depending the tide of war.

Putindbutt:

How did we lose?, you just open mouth waaa. Niger is one of the poorest country in the world, Kaduna will buy the whole of Niger and collect change. These desert countries should thank Gowon who begged Tinubu on their behalf.

Rubbish as usual. Disappoint us foe once now.

Floky215:


Thousand of Nigerians would fight on the side of Niger Republic to spit the druggy parading himself as the president...that you can take to the bank..!!!

Nigeria would never win the war as there would be sabotage on an industrial scale, that also you can take the bank...!!

Infact that would quickly usher in the military after they have been given bloody nose from Niger Republic...!!

War no be snapping and posing for picture...!!! Nepotism have finished the Nigerian military...!!

no igbo man will fight along Nigeria like my self I will never

Lol

This means one thing. It was Niger Republic that actually closed the border, not Nigeria.

What about guns, bullets and bandits, where do they follow into Nigeria? The traders should use the same routes.

Seefinish:
See dry nyash ooo

bt se dey shake na 😂

jmoore:
This means one thing. It was Niger Republic that actually closed the border, not Nigeria.

Good
They should keep it that way

Calm down you can't force them to open their borders , since you close it first .. Allow them deliberate, count their lose and reach a common ground.. Moreover they would also be weighing the security implications. I won't be surprised if they asked for compensation from ECOWAS. But black people have problems o, I was going through Haiti yesterday, mad people destroying the country because they are black, a country at close proximity to the United States. I also went through North Korea and I saw an organize clean country. Despite all the U.S propaganda, I suspect they don't collect the yeye IMF loans.

Weren't some of you pressuring the government to reopen the border? The earlier we allow certain decisions run their course, the better.

ManirBK:
Niger Republic got heart o !!!

What of if we do them the same

We did

Niger 🇳🇪 gave a fat middle finger to the druglord bulaba master.