Some Nigerians who are stranded at the Illela border post over the closure of border with Niger Republic have cried for help.
Our reporter who visited the border post on Friday observed a long line of trucks coming and going out of the country stuck at the border post.
Some of the trucks were caught up in-between the two countries in a place considered as a “no man’s land.”
Some of the trucks drivers interviewed said they have been standed for weeks.
Similarly, a cross section of Illela’s residents appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger Republic.
“We don’t need war because the people of Niger are like brothers to us. We share the same culture, faith and language.
“There is also a marital relationship between us. For instance, some of my sisters are currently married at Konni in Niger Republic,” one of the resident Abdullahi, said.
Meanwhile, Bashir Adeniyi was at the border town on Friday to monitor the implementation of the border closure.
In a meeting with members of the communities, Adeniyi expressed optimistic that, the ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in Niger Republic would yield positive results.
The closure was part of the economic sanctions imposed on the neighbouring Niger Republic over the recent coup d’etat which was rejected by many countries, including Nigeria.
The Comptroller who was accompanied by other senior officials of the agency, expressed satisfaction with how the border was shut down.
Addressing leaders of the communities, he said the decision was taken to restore democracy and sustainabke peace in our subregion.
“Nigeria is not at war with the Niger Republic. President Tinubu is a man of peace and apostle of regional integration and trades.
“So the decision is not to hurt anybody. Is a collective decision by the member states of ECOWAS and it was meant to restore peace and democracy in the subregion.
“So I urge you to understand that is the decision taken by the government and we are implementing.
“However, you are all aware of the ongoing efforts to arrive at the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger. We are optimistic that these effort will yield posive results.
“When that happened the measures that is ongoing at Illela border and other land border will be a temporary measure. it will be reviewed and the borders can be reopened for legitimate business,” he said.
