Niger Republic Shuns ECOWAS Passport, Block Nigerians From Entry
LAGOS NEWSRANGERS)-Niger Republic has started restricting entry for Nigerians traveling with the ECOWAS passport, insisting on a valid international passport instead.
This comes after the country, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), signaling a shift in regional policies. While the land border between Nigeria and Niger remains open, stricter immigration controls are now in place at crossings like Illela (Nigeria) and Konni (Niger).
Cross-border traders and commuters who rely on the ECOWAS passport are feeling the impact, as Nigerien authorities refuse to accept it as valid identification.
According to a frequent trader who spoke with newsmen, confirmed the situation, saying, “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. Some of our people are being turned back home.”
Some travelers claim that Niger has introduced a new national passport to replace the ECOWAS document, though there has been no official confirmation.
Commercial drivers and traders also alleged that security officials in Niger are exploiting the situation for bribes. A driver on the Illela-Konni route, who also spoke with newsmen said, “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.”
Despite these developments, some traders say business activities at the border remain largely unaffected.
BusinessDay
For media advert placement, events coverage, public relation consultancy, placement of publications and further inquiries please WhatsApp 2348023773039 or email: labakevwe@yahoo.com
Short URL: https://newsrangers.com/?p=133104
Posted by News Rangers
on Feb 20 2025. Filed under International, NASRDA.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
