The Republic of Niger has started enforcing strict travel restrictions on Nigerians using the ECOWAS passport. The country is now denying entry to those without a valid international passport, despite maintaining an open border with Nigeria. This decision follows Niger’s withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), alongside Mali and Burkina Faso.Stricter immigration measures are in place at major crossings like Illela in Nigeria and Konni in Niger. As a result, cross-border traders and commuters are facing difficulties, as Nigerien authorities no longer recognize the ECOWAS passport as a valid form of identification. The situation is becoming increasingly challenging, with reports of bribery and extortion by Nigerien security officials. Travelers with only an ECOWAS passport are being forced to pay bribes ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 CFA before being allowed entry.
Mansur Abdullah, a trader who frequently travels between the two countries, confirmed the development. “I believe there is a move to abolish the ECOWAS passport as a means of traveling here; they have started harassing us if we are entering the country,” Punch reports. “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”.
According to a source in Taiwan, a state in Niger Republic, border officials have started turning back individuals relying solely on the ECOWAS passport. “Some of our people have already been sent home. The authorities insist on their own national passport, making it difficult for traders and travellers,” he explained.
Abubakar Isa, a commercial driver on the Illela-Konni route, 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.
A trader in Illela, Alhaji Nuhu Abubakar, confirmed that Niger’s withdrawal from ECOWAS has had no immediate impact on trade or movement across the border. “We have continued our normal activities as usual, and there is no sign of an impending closure,” Punch reports. “The border remains open on both the Nigerian and Nigerien sides. We’ve heard rumours that the military junta in Niger is considering restricting motorcycle movement between the two countries, but for now, nothing concrete has been decided.”
The ECOWAS Commission has stated that it was unaware of Niger Republic’s policy to bar ECOWAS passport holders. This development has raised concerns among Nigerian traders and cross-border commuters, as further restrictions could disrupt trade and movement between the two neighboring countries.
