Niger: Immigration, DSS On Standby As ECOWAS Deadline Expires

It is more than 12 hours after the expiration of the deadline given by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the military junta in Niger Republic to return power to President Mohammed Bazoum or face severe sanction.

To this, the military in the west African country have not responded to backing down.

Meanwhile, the various security agencies in Nigeria including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) are said to be on standby in the event of any chaos in the states where Nigeria shares borders with Niger.

Recall over the weekend, there were reports Nigerians were not allowed to cross over into Niger Republic through the Kamba border in Kebbi state, llela border in Sokoto, Jibiya, Maradi, Zango, Mai’Adua as well as Kaita borders in Katsina.

Also residents Gurbin Bore, in Zamfara and Babura, Maigari in Jigawa State were denied access to the Niger Republic.

Speaking on the current situation, the Immigration Controller in charge of Special Border Command, Mustapha Sani, told journalists that Nigerians in these border towns should remain in their respective houses until the embargo is lifted.

“We are determined to return any Nigerian citizen planning to come back to his country,” he said.

According to him, personnel of the Service are on alert and some have been deployed to strategic routes where some foreigners use to gain access into the country.

“We have already put our officers on alert and we have already deployed some to man the orthodox routes through which some of the foreigners use to enter into Nigeria and from what we have on the ground, we know it will be impossible for them to enter into Nigeria. We have also already stationed our officers at strategic places for stop and search as usual.”

Recall last week that the Federal Government of Nigeria issued a directive that all borders with Niger Republic should be closed until further notice.

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The Controller said personnel of the NIS are enforcing the order.

To this, tight security has been mounted in Gurbin Bore village in Zurmi Local Government Area in Zamfara State to check illegal migrants from Niger Republic into the country.

Sani explained that since the special border command received a signal that all borders with the Niger Republic should remain closed, officers of the command have been active in enforcing the sanction.

In Zamfara state, tight security had been mounted in Gurbin Bore village in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state to check illegal migrants from Niger Republic into the country.