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Sanction Against Niger Republic, Is Against All OF Us — Boader Communities
As the sanction imposed against Niger republic by Economic of West African States ( ECOWAS ) caused untold hardship to common man in the country, the Nigerian boader communities side have equally lamented how the sanction paralyzed their social and commercial activities, also posed increase of criminal and security challenges in the area MUH”D ZANGINA KURA visited the area and takes look in to the situation around.
The situation around the boader communities appeared to be very sympathetic as no one was speared from the growing fear of the adversary effects of the boarder closure and sanction imposed on Niger following the Military Coup in the country.
Women children, youth and men have already started feeling the consequences of the sanction as hundreds t of them lost their Jobs and source of livelihoods.
The Niger Military Juntas have deployed heavy security around their boader side in anticipation of any ground attack from ECOWAS and also to prevent any one from crossing into their country,, while Nigerian securities equally closed the main boader entrance and patrols the pedasteral routes day and night to ensure no goods or person pass through.
Most of the boader communities around Maigatari local government of Jigawa state declared the sanction imposed on Niger as a sanction imposed on all of them , described Niger peoples as their blood brothers, business friends and good.neighbours .
The threat by ECOWAS to use military power to restore constitutional government in the country had also been condemned by the Nigerian boader communities described it as illogical, and unnecessary.
” if ECOWAS used military force against the Juntas, it would be a single action with too many unending consequences and we l would be the first casualties” said boader communities.
The people of the area are also very concern for the situation to prolong, which may resulted in to harbouring criminal and terrorism activities around,
they re afraid for their young men who lost their business as a result of the sanction to join such groups, while the influx of weapons could not be controlled like the case of Libiya , Duniya and Afghanistan.
The imaginary boader between Nigeria and Niger is porous ,, the communities share everything in common, including farm lands market, inter marriage, culture, tribe, religion to the extent some communities in Nigeria have their graveyard in Niger side and vice-versa
According to the chairman of Maigatari market which is one of the biggest livestock and grains market in Jigawa state and boader town Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim narrated that, the commercial activities have been paralyzed in their market since the beginning of the crisis.
“We are not happy with the Military coup in Niger republic and we are also not happy with the sanction imposed on the country, because we business men and other ordinary citizens of both countries are the major victims”.
“We are calling on both side ECOWAS and Military Juntas to consider the life and wellbeing of common man above any personal interest or power mongering”
” We in Northern Nigeria and people of Niger belong to one family , many of our children are in Niger and many of their children are in Nigeria, so we are calling for the parties involved in the crisis to exhibit maturity exercise restrain to find a better solution to this disagreement ” A
The chairman faulted the threat of using force, noted that military force have never resolved political crisis any where in the world, therefore he called on both side to use dai’ogue for peace and stability in the region.
The secretary association of cattle sellers Maigatari Market Alhaji Muhammad Duwa sa’id, the removal of fuel subsidy has affected their business and now with this crisis and subsequent sanction imposed on Niger republic everything has been crippled in their market and the area.
“Today we are no longer what we were in the past, the sanction has disconnected us with our main business partners, Niger peoples brought livestock to our market and in retune they buy foodstuffs and other essential commodities from us, but the sanction has completely cutoff the transaction, we are all in critical situation”.
“Any thing affected Niger it affects Nigeria, they are suffering from sanction as it bitting more harder on us , we are calling on Nigerian president to put the interest of Nigeria first than that of ECOWAS , he should not allowed the use of military power, because Nigeria will suffer the consequences more than any other west African Country”
“What Niger Military done is wrong, and I am sure they have no peace of minds now, so let not repeat the same mistakes by using military force to crash them, this will not sole the problems” Duwa stated.
Sale Ado is a commercial car driver who spent over 20 year transporting people and goods between Nigeria and Niger republic said, the political crisis has thrown them in to economic and social uncertainty.
He explained that, the border closure between Nigeria and Niger made transport and business activities standstill and also made life hard to them and their families.
” We boader communities wish to tell President Bola Tinibu that, Niger people are our bothers and sister , we will never support any action capable of destabilizing their country because what ever affect Niger it will directly affect us”.
Also in His testimony a commercial truck driver Ali Dan”uku Sa’id, he and 4 of his boys depend on the truck as their main source of livelihoods, with sanction imposed on Niger republic all of them are now redundant , the roads they are flaying for over 15 years is now closed.
” Only Kano and Kaduna state I ever visited in Nigeria, but there is no state in Niger republic that I have not been there to carry or deliver goods, we boader communities are more inclined with Niger than Nigeria in terms of commercial relationship.”
” Imposing sanction or taking military action that my destabilize Niger republic is like imposing sanction on all of us, or endangering our social and economic life, I believed there is no any sensible leader that may wish to jeoperdise the life of his people, such as sending Nigerian troops to fight Niger”.
Narrating their odel under the boader closure , some elderly women of Jobe village, a boader community: Amina Ali, Fatima Musa and Raliyat Musa Sa’id, they are now compelled to go to bush to scout for food, the sanction imposed on the Niger republic has paralyzed commercial activities in the area and rendered their children jobless.
” This crisis and sanction has hit us and our children sever’y, it is after 12 noon now, non of us take breakfast, because we don’t have food to eat, so we are calling for an immediate relax of the boader closure and resolving the disagreement before the situation get to worst” The women begged..
The vice chairman Association of Heavy Duty Trucks working between Nigeria and Niger in Maigatari local government said, the situation around boader towns is very unfortunate to their members in Nigeria and Niger republic.
“Our job is in jeopardy, I personally have 15 trucks under me, but all of them are off the roads, the roads we are flaying is closed, we lost our jobs, we don’t know what to do,
“Our transportation activities is more of cross boader, now the boader are closed, we have no where to go, our livelihoods is stagnated, this situation must not be continue” he declared
Malam shehu Isa of Adare town in Niger republic was trapped in between the crisis. He revealed that, he visited his brothers in Ladan village of Maigatari local government and now he wanted to go back to his family in Niger but all roads and routes are closed described the situation as worst than that of COVID-19 lockdown.
For Ibrahim Sani of Gangara area, Maigatari local government said, his farm lands and many of his village kinsmen are inside Niger republic and now they can not go there which means if the situation not resoled they will loos their main source of livelyhoods.
The adversary effects of the sanction on Nigerian boader communities is very visible, in every community you visit around the area you will find people in their different age group sitting under the trees or other shades discussing the sanction and the collapsed of the business activities in their area.
Every body was so concern about the Niger crisis including school children, discussion at Maishayi ( Tea Junction) and Mainama table ( Suya spot) is overwhelmed by the subject matter.
The common opinion and stands of the boader communities on the crisis are:, All of them denounced the use of force to crash the military Juntas, they kicked against the boader closure and the sanction imposed on Niger, maintained that these actions have more damaging consequences on command man than the Juntas.
However they all condemned the military coup in Niger republic described it as a set back to a fragile economy and security situation in a land-locked country, , the unfortunate development would not urger well to the future of the country , it’s neighbours and west African states at large.
They all believed that, a sincere political engagement with the Military Juntas and, a wider consultation are the best option to provide sustainable solution to the the political impasse in a Uranium rich country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone 10 comprising Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States Gyogon Augustine Grimah has directed commissioners of police under his zone to ensure adequate security measures in their respective domains before and after the Easter celebration.
Grimah, in a release by the zone 10 Public Relations Officer DSP Uthman Muhammad Yaqub appealed to all and sundry to cooperate with security agencies to enable them serve them well.
The release read in parr, “”Zone 10 headquarters under the leadership of AIG Gyogon Augustine Grimah psc,FCAI, wish to inform the members of the public particularly those residing in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, that it has made adequate security arrangements that will ensure the protection of lives and properties before, during and after the Easter celebrations.
“”AIG zone 10 headquarters, directed the three commissioners of police Commanding Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara Police states Commands to emplace adequate security measures that will ensure smooth and hitch free celebrations. Intelligence gathering apparatus of the zone has also been directed to actively generate actionable intelligence that could assist in mitigating any form of threats””.
While wishing Christian faithfuls a happy Easter celebration, the AIG, Grimah enjoined all of them to seize the moment and pray for continues peaceful coexistence in the zone and beyond.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Christians and all residents of the state to use the Easter season to reflect on the virtues of peace, unity, and sacrifice, as demonstrated by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Chairman, Sir Edward Percy Masha, the PDP extended warm greetings to Christians across the state and Nigeria, describing Easter as a season of hope, renewal, and triumph over adversity.
“Easter reminds us of the triumph of light over darkness, life over death, and most importantly, of love, peace, and unity among all people,” Masha said.
He noted that the message of Easter was especially significant at a time when Kaduna State is grappling with economic hardship, political tension, and persistent security threats, particularly in vulnerable communities.
“These are trying times for our dear state. We urge all citizens to remain steadfast in faith, committed to peace, and united in the pursuit of a better future. No matter our religious or ethnic backgrounds, we must come together to pray for Kaduna and Nigeria,” he added.
The PDP also called on residents to pray for divine intervention in addressing the state’s worsening socio-economic and security challenges.
“We believe in the power of collective prayers and unity,” the statement continued.
“Kaduna must rise above the tide of division, insecurity, and underdevelopment. Only with sincerity of purpose and inclusive leadership can we achieve that.”
“This Easter should inspire our leaders to embrace sacrificial service. Jesus gave His life to save others — that’s the true test of leadership,” he said.
“We must put aside politics and speak as one voice against the suffering of our people.”
The PDP reaffirmed its commitment to the people of Kaduna, assuring that it would continue to advocate for good governance, equity, and development. he concluded.
A new terrorist group known as Mahmuda has emerged in Nigeria’s North Central region, launching deadly attacks on communities surrounding the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP), according to local sources and a report by Sahara Reporters.
The group, which operates with impunity in the national park spanning Kwara and Niger states, has besieged villages in Kaiama and Barutein Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kwara, as well as Babana and Wawa districts in Borgu LGA, Niger State. On Wednesday, Mahmuda militants attacked a vigilante group in Kemanji, Kwara, killing over 15 vigilantes and villagers, a source confirmed.
“They call themselves the Mahmuda group. Their leader, in a voice note, is threatening all the communities. They kill, kidnap victims, and demand ransom,” a local source told Sahara Reporters.
The KLNP, covering 3,970.29 square kilometres, has become a haven for the militants, who reportedly displaced park rangers over five years ago.
Sources trace the group’s origins to Mokwa LGA in Niger State, from where they were expelled by former Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, who accused them of being Boko Haram affiliates.
The group then relocated through various regions, including Kaduna State, before entrenching themselves in the KLNP.
A recent audiotape from the group’s leader suggests they are a moderate Islamist sect that splintered from the extremist Boko Haram faction led by Abubakar Shekau.
The militants, who primarily speak Hausa, identify as the Mahmuda or Mallam Group and claim to be jihadists promoting Sunni Islam.
The Mahmuda group has imposed a reign of terror on local communities.
Herders pay dues to graze cattle, farmers pay levies to access farmland allocated by the militants, and residents are forced to work on the group’s farms as “sadaka” (charity).
The militants also kidnap locals for ransom, mount illegal roadblocks, and regulate social activities, banning alcohol sales and smoking while settling community disputes.
“They preach Islamic ethics, urge disloyalty to the Nigerian state, and insist disputes be reported to them,” a source said, adding that the group is recruiting locals as informants.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the militants are engaged in illegal mining within the park and threaten herbalists suspected of aiding vigilantes.
In a bid to consolidate control, the group has expelled bandits from the park, kidnapping or executing their collaborators after collecting ransoms.
The rise of Mahmuda highlights Nigeria’s growing insecurity, with ungoverned spaces like the KLNP enabling militant groups to thrive.
Loggers, fishermen, and hunters exploit the park’s resources, with some loggers reportedly negotiating with the militants to harvest trees, providing the group with revenue.
“The surge of insecurity in Nigeria is a source of concern due to its destructive impact on livelihoods,” a source noted.
“New militant groups continue to emerge and occupy ungoverned spaces.”
Locals suspect the authorities are aware of the group’s activities but have failed to act, possibly due to the militants’ sophisticated weaponry. Vigilante groups, frustrated by the lack of security intervention, have resorted to collaborating with Mahmuda to rescue kidnapped victims, further complicating the situation.
The Mahmuda group’s control over a vast swathe of Nigerian territory underscores the challenges facing the country’s security forces. With communities living at the mercy of the militants, the group’s blend of coercion, religious rhetoric, and economic exploitation poses a significant threat to stability in the region.
As Nigeria grapples with this emerging menace, questions remain about the group’s true origins and affiliations. Some locals speculate the militants may have ties to groups from Benin or Niger Republic, while others see parallels with Boko Haram’s tactics. Further investigation is needed to unmask this faceless group and address the crisis in the KLNP.