The Republic of Niger has started enforcing new immigration rules, barring Nigerians from entering the country with an ECOWAS passport unless they hold a valid international passport.
This move follows Niger’s recent withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), alongside Mali and Burkina Faso. Despite keeping its border with Nigeria open, Nigerien authorities have tightened entry requirements at key crossing points, including Illela (Nigeria) and Konni (Niger), causing disruptions for traders and commuters.
Alhaji Mansur Abdullah, a trader who frequently travels between the two countries, confirmed the development.
“I believe they are phasing out the ECOWAS passport. They have started harassing us at entry points, and some travelers are being turned back. We’ve also heard that a new passport is being issued to replace the ECOWAS document,” he said.
A source in Taiwan, a state in Niger Republic, also reported that border officials have begun denying entry to those relying solely on the ECOWAS passport.
“Some travelers have already been sent back. The authorities now insist on their own national passport, making movement difficult for traders,” the source stated.
Meanwhile, Abubakar Isa, a commercial driver on the Illela-Konni route, alleged that Nigerien security officials are taking advantage of the situation to extort travelers.
“They demand between 5,000 and 10,000 CFA before allowing people with ECOWAS passports to pass. If you don’t have Niger’s new identification document, they take you to their office and pressure you to pay a bribe,” he claimed.
Despite these challenges, some traders say cross-border trade remains unaffected for now. Alhaji Nuhu Abubakar, a trader in Illela, noted that business activities continue as usual.
“The border remains open on both sides. We’ve heard rumors that Niger’s military junta may restrict motorcycle movement, but nothing official has been announced yet,” he said.
While the Nigerien government has not issued a formal statement on banning ECOWAS passports, many travelers fear the situation could worsen, further disrupting trade and movement.
When contacted on Monday, the Head of Communication at the ECOWAS Commission, Joel Ahofodji, stated that the regional body was unaware of Niger’s new policy regarding ECOWAS passports.
