Don’t go to Niger Republic – Immigration warns Nigerians

The Comptroller of the Jibia Special Border Command in Katsina State, Mustapha Sani, has issued a warning to Nigerians against traveling to the Niger Republic. The caution comes in the wake of the crisis following a coup d’état in the neighboring country, leading to sanctions being imposed on the West African nation.

Commemorating the service’s 60th anniversary, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) held a joint celebration with the Katsina State Command. During the event on Thursday, Comptroller Mustapha Sani emphasized the seriousness of the situation in the Niger Republic and urged Nigerians to avoid crossing the border until the embargo is lifted.

“We advise Nigerians to stay at home and refrain from attempting to go to the Niger Republic until the situation stabilizes. Additionally, we are committed to apprehending any Nigerien individuals we catch attempting to enter our country,” Comptroller Sani asserted.

To curb illegal movements from the Niger Republic, the NIS has deployed personnel to man the Katsina border. Despite cultural and religious similarities between the two countries, Comptroller Sani stressed that valid travel documents are essential for entry into Nigeria, and the NIS will maintain strict vigilance to enforce these requirements.

“We have placed our officers on high alert and strategically positioned them at key points for stop and search operations to prevent unauthorized entries,” he stated.

Muhammad Adamu, the Comptroller in charge of the Katsina Command of the NIS, highlighted the achievements made in border management, particularly in patrolling irregular and porous land borders. The celebration aimed to raise awareness about the NIS’s ongoing efforts in Katsina State and strengthen its commitment to further advancements in border security.