•Soldiers from Nigeria and Niger start fighting near the Malam Fatori border •Economic activity is waning •Experts warn Tinubu against launching a military assault on Niger
On Sunday, the deadline for the restoration of democratic rule in the Niger Republic expired, and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Department of Security Service (DSS), and soldiers were placed on high alert.
According to information obtained by the Nigerian Tribune, security has been stepped up along Nigeria’s border with the Niger Republic.
Stopping Nigerians from entering Nigeria through official or illegal borders is the responsibility of DSS agents, immigration officers, and the Nigerian Customs Service.
The Kamba border in Kebbi State, the llela border in Sokoto, the Jibiya, Maradi, Zango, Mai’Adua, and the Kaita borders in Katsina State, on the other hand, all prohibited Nigerians from entering the Niger Republic. Other borders that were impacted were Babura, Maigari in Jigawa State, and Gurbin Bore in Zamfara.
Mustapha Sani, the Immigration Comptroller in charge of Special Border Command, commented on the development in an interview, saying that “Nigerians should stay at home and not attempt to go to the Niger Republic until the embargo is lifted, ” adding that “we are determined to return any Nigerian citizen planning to come back to his country.”
He stated, “we have already placed our officers on notice and we have already sent some to man the traditional routes through which some foreigners use to enter Nigeria and from what we have on the ground, we know it will be hard for them to enter Nigeria. Our officers are already posted in key locations for stop and search as normal.
