Niger

Nigeria has closed its border with Niger Republic following the military coup that ousted the democratically-elected government of President Mohammed Bazoum.

Acting Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi disclosed this on Friday at the Illela border, Sokoto state.

According to him, with the current situation in Niger, the borders have been closed, and there are restrictions of movement along the areas.

He, therefore, advised Nigerians who were planning to travel to Niger to stay safe at home, saying that only Nigerians that are returning home were allowed to cross the border.

He also said Nigeria Customs had deployed its personnel to block all the unorthodox roads through which some of the foreigners may likely infiltrate.

“You know Sokoto and the Niger Republic, we are a homogeneous society, with the same language, religion, and culture, but we have a colonial boundary which we must respect.”

The Customs boss noted that President Bola Tinubu gave the directive last week, saying he is at the border to ensure the enforcement of the order.

He further explained that as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, President Tinubu restated his commitment to the restoration of democratic rule in Niger

Adeniyi stated that Tinubu was an apostle of regional trade hence he would not take any action that will jeopardize it.

“Our president as a regional leader is an apostle of regional trade but where there is no peace, you cannot talk of trade,” he stated.

He said the decision was a resolution of the regional body and is not to punish anybody.

Adeniyi further disclosed that the action was temporary pending the resolution of the political logjam in the Niger Republic.

On the opening of the border for the importation of cars and other goods, the Customs boss said the service was reviewing action and it would soon take a decision on that.

Responding on behalf of the community, the district head of Illela, Alhaji Buhari Tukur, represented by Abubakar Abdullahi, said the community would cooperate with the government and would obey all the decisions taken by the president.

Meanwhile, the association of truck drivers has called on President Tinubu to open the border for them to cross to Nigeria.

Speaking at the Illela border, the leader of the group Muhammad Abbas, said they were stuck at the border for over a week now saying that even having access to food and water was a problem for them.

In another development, there is public outcry in Sokoto as a result of a hike in the prices of food commodities due to border closure.

The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerien military on Sunday to restore constitutional order and return ousted President Muhammed Bazoum.

This came after an unusual meeting of ECOWAS leaders at the State House in Abuja to examine the situation in Niger Republic.

While the group recognized Bazoum as the legal President of the landlocked state, it also enforced land and border closures, as well as a suspension of all commercial flights between Niger and ECOWAS member states.

Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, announced the decision, saying that the Chiefs of Defense Staff from the member countries will convene for an emergency meeting to strategize on effective ways to undertake a possible military operation to restore Bazoum to office.

He said the ECOWAS will “Take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.

“Such measures may include the use of force.

“To this effect, the Chiefs of Defense Staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately.”

Announcing economic sanctions, Touray said ECOWAS has approved the “Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger. Freeze all service transactions including energy transactions.

“Freeze assets of the Republic of Niger in Aqua Central Bank. Freeze of assets of the Niger State and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks.

“Suspension of measure from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID.”

Members of Niger’s Presidential Guard, who carried out the coup, announced General Abdourahamane Tchiani as the country’s new leader on Friday.

Tchiani, who has led the Presidential Guard since 2011, said the coup on Wednesday was the military’s response to “the degradation of the security situation” caused by terrorist carnage.

The military also warned of the “consequences that will flow from any foreign military intervention,” stating that “certain dignitaries…are considering confrontation,” which “will end in nothing but the massacre of the Nigerien population and chaos.”