₦airaland Forum

Illela, Sokoto State – The Republic of Niger has begun enforcing strict entry restrictions on Nigerians traveling with the ECOWAS passport, denying entry to those without a valid international passport.

This development follows Niger’s recent withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) alongside Mali and Burkina Faso. Despite keeping its borders open with Nigeria, the country has introduced new immigration measures at major crossing points such as Illela (Nigeria) and Konni (Niger), significantly impacting cross-border traders and commuters.

Travelers Face Harassment and Restrictions

Nigerien border officials have reportedly stopped recognizing the ECOWAS passport as a valid travel document. Alhaji Mansur Abdullah, a frequent trader between Nigeria and Niger, confirmed the crackdown, stating:

"There is a move to abolish the ECOWAS passport for travel here. Our people are being harassed, and some have been turned back home. We've learned that a new passport is now being issued for entry into Niger Republic, replacing the ECOWAS passport."

A source in Taiwan, a state in Niger Republic, further revealed that border officials have started turning away travelers who fail to present Niger’s new identification document.

"The authorities insist on their own national passport, making it difficult for traders and travelers. Some of our people have already been sent home," the source disclosed.

Bribery and Extortion at the Border

Beyond travel restrictions, reports of bribery and extortion by Nigerien security officials have surfaced. Abubakar Isa, a commercial driver on the Illela-Konni route, alleged that travelers with only an ECOWAS passport are being forced to pay bribes ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 CFA before being allowed entry.

"If you don’t have Niger’s new passport, they take you to their office and pressure you to pay a bribe before allowing you to pass," Isa claimed.

Impact on Trade and Border Activities

Despite the restrictions, Alhaji Nuhu Abubakar, a trader in Illela, noted that trade and movement remain unaffected for now, with no official closure of the border.

"Our activities continue as usual, and there’s no sign of a complete border shutdown. However, there are rumors that Niger’s military junta might restrict motorcycle movements between the two countries soon," he stated.

ECOWAS Unaware of Niger’s Travel Policy

When contacted, Joel Ahofodji, Head of Communication at the ECOWAS Commission, stated that the regional bloc was unaware of Niger Republic’s decision to bar ECOWAS passport holders from entry.

The situation has raised concerns among Nigerian traders and cross-border commuters, as further restrictions could disrupt trade and movement between the two neighboring countries.

Source: The Bureau Newspaper

Is there any reason why we can't invade Niger and annex Chad...


Nobody should talk about sovereignty here, is it that Nigeria can't fight a war?

After all we have fought and won a war

Intelligent mentions pls...

If it's Russia and the Islamic nations that we are scared of, don't we have allies?


At least we should topple the regime in Niger

Small Niger nyansh con dey shake

Jagaban you do this one


I guess this is how Biafra will look like

No one will be able to enter it exit the landlocked country without a Nigerian passport

iamnotillicit:
Is there any reason why we can't invade Niger and annex Chad...


Nobody should talk about sovereignty here, is it that Nigeria can't fight a war?

After all we have fought and won a war

Intelligent mentions pls...

If it's Russia and the Islamic nations that we are scared of, don't we have allies?


At least we should topple the regime in Niger

Invade Niger and Annex Chad for what reasons exactly??
Talking about winning wars, first fight and win Boko Haram first...

DukeofUmueri247:
Invade Niger and Annex Chad for what reasons exactly??
Talking about winning wars, first fight and win Boko Haram first...

That's how to fight boko haram, we are just fighting the tail and not cutting the head


They get arms through routes in Niger and Chad

Lakurawa is from that axis too

Why not just invade that place and secure it

Well, I guess we don't have the manpower

The current regime in Niger is hostile to us for no reason...

I don't think South Africa will tolerate that

iamnotillicit:
Is there any reason why we can't invade Niger and annex Chad...


Nobody should talk about sovereignty here, is it that Nigeria can't fight a war?

After all we have fought and won a war

Intelligent mentions pls...

If it's Russia and the Islamic nations that we are scared of, don't we have allies?


At least we should topple the regime in Niger

Buhari no invade as former military guy, na Tinubu go do am?
These military juntas from Chad, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are up to something!! Besides, they all speak French.

kushme:

Buhari no invade as former military guy, na Tinubu go do am?
These military juntas from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are up to something!! Besides, they all speak French.

The more reason we should take the fight to them before they become unfightable...

Who knows what they are cooking

iamnotillicit:
The more reason we should take the fight to them before they become unfightable...

Who knows what they are cooking

Mehn, you have a point oh. Remember President Tinubu threatened one of them, saying ecowas may drop boots(soldiers) in one of the countries. I believe they didn't take the threat lightly as brothers(countries) with the same struggles, and are now arming, preparing for offense and defense someday. Hope they don't catch us sleeping when they attack!!!

Middle Belt and Southern Nigerian better start arming themselves cos I don’t trust them too.

kushme:
Mehn, you have a point oh. Remember President Tinubu threatened one of them, saying ecowas may drop boots(soldiers) in one of the countries. I believe they didn't take the threat likely as brothers(countries) with the same struggles, and are now arming, preparing for offense and defense. Hope they don't catch us sleeping when they attack!!!

Ramaphosa would have given them a bloody nose if it was SA...

They would get burnt with this

DukeofUmueri247:
Invade Niger and Annex Chad for what reasons exactly??
Talking about winning wars, first fight and win Boko Haram first...

Bro, you don't have to blame the Op, I believe he's seeing it from the perspective of the invading and annexing done by world strong leaders.
I think these countries currently don't regard Nigeria based on this prolonged boko haram crisis. They see or feel the weakness of Nigerian troops. How many fronts can our troops hold? Both external and internal...

iamnotillicit:
Ramaphosa would have given them a bloody nose if it was SA...

Forget Ramaphosa, he should face Kagame first. Do you know that, that Bukinabe Junta known as Traore has a lot of admiration for President Putin? The guy loves guns a lot. I believe he's building a strong army to invade his imaginary threats someday.

There are at least one Million Citizens of Niger living illegally in Katsina , Borno and Yobe State alone

if Nigeria enforces the same Ecowas law entire Towns in Yobe will be almost empty

Niger is under Us control now

nigeriens you mean. Some sore losers who cannot think will be here to laugh at Nigeria. Basic primary school geography, they cannot process, but they foolishly think their lamba choice must be the answer or nothing.

We should simply reciprocate and let's see who suffers most.

iamnotillicit:
The more reason we should take the fight to them before they become unfightable...

Who knows what they are cooking

Forms are always available for new recruits in the Nigerian army.
You can start from there.

Goodnews for Jagaban. He will pretend to help, but will do nothing. Why? This will affect importation of machineries from Niger to rig elections.

Simple. Go take Nigerien visa to enter Niger. Period. That's what they want you to do. Since they have decided to create this red tape, good luck to them. A very good excuse to stop any connection of Niger and Nigeria. Just imagine Buhari wasted so much to put a rail from Niger to Kano. Are they not the same Katsina sees as their relatives? Lol.

Nigeria is about to break. There are so many reasons I keep writing about this.

Ofodirinwa:
Niger is under Us control now

LOL... Donald Trump's in NIGER!!!

iamnotillicit:
Is there any reason why we can't invade Niger and annex Chad...


Nobody should talk about sovereignty here, is it that Nigeria can't fight a war?

After all we have fought and won a war

Intelligent mentions pls...

If it's Russia and the Islamic nations that we are scared of, don't we have allies?


At least we should topple the regime in Niger

On what grounds should we invade and topple a government that has done nothing to undermine our sovereignty

Our leaders should fix the country and make it enviable. That's the right response to Niger's madness

Nothing special about Niger republic, Mali and Burkina Faso. Only obidients shouting to high heavens on how those 3 Mumu countries are doing better than Nigeria. Obidients hate anything progressive in Nigeria. To them Nigeria should be a fail state since that saint PO lost election's. They pray and ganish their teeth daily for the failure of Nigeria

Na see finish be this

But one is curious, wetin our people dey go find for Niger

They are allowed to cross into Nigeria anyhow so tay some don even get NIN and voters card.

Na us I blame

It's the audacity for me

Image123:
nigeriens you mean. Some sore losers who cannot think will be here to laugh at Nigeria. Basic primary school geography, they cannot process, but they foolishly think their lamba choice must be the answer or nothing.

🤔

iamnotillicit:
Is there any reason why we can't invade Niger and annex Chad...


Nobody should talk about sovereignty here, is it that Nigeria can't fight a war?

After all we have fought and won a war

Intelligent mentions pls...

If it's Russia and the Islamic nations that we are scared of, don't we have allies?


At least we should topple the regime in Niger

Tinubu is a weak man when it comes to international affairs, he can only bully his home state Lagos. During Obasanjo time, I doubt if Niger can try half of what is trying now.

I love this, shame on Buhari and Amaechi, after borrowing millions from China to construct railway for them, they are now denying your people entry. 🤣🤣

Buhari cousins.

We are currently spending money constructing railway to Nigér Republic despite poor diplomatic relations. Meanwhile there is no railway linking Abuja to Lokoja or Markudi , a very lucrative route for moving fresh cheap food stuffs to the growing population of Abuja.

iamnotillicit:
Is there any reason why we can't invade Niger and annex Chad...


Nobody should talk about sovereignty here, is it that Nigeria can't fight a war?

After all we have fought and won a war

Intelligent mentions pls...

If it's Russia and the Islamic nations that we are scared of, don't we have allies?


At least we should topple the regime in Niger

Should America invade and annex Nigeria?