By Salifu Faridat
The ongoing border closure enforced against Niger Republic has triggered a notable spike in food prices within certain Nigerian border communities.
This action was initiated in response to Niger’s junta’s refusal to reinstate ousted President Muhammed Bazoum.
The situation has been further complicated by sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and attempts to restore constitutional order through a standby force—an endeavor met with widespread resistance, particularly in Nigeria.
As the standoff continues, residents of border communities in northern Nigerian states are grappling with a substantial increase in the cost of food items.
A resident of Illela Local Government Area in Sokoto State, which borders Konni Local Government Area in Tahoua State of Niger Republic, disclosed that a significant portion of their community’s food items are sourced from Niger.
“We are facing a scarcity of perishable items due to the border closure,” they shared. This scarcity has resulted in soaring prices, including a sharp rise in the cost of foreign rice from N30,000 to N50,000 per bag. The price of other essential commodities, such as a bag of millet, has surged to over N60,000.
In Jibia, Katsina State, the Jibia Peoples Forum raised concerns about excessive charges imposed by security personnel on trucks transporting food items.
The forum conveyed a letter of complaint to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, expressing frustration over obstacles faced by essential goods on the Katsina-Jibia highway.
Nasiru Abdulkadir, a resident of Jibia, voiced apprehensions that an escalating conflict between Nigeria and Niger could further disrupt local farmers’ access to their lands.
The impact of the crisis is particularly profound on border communities like Kwangwalam, where high food costs have become an unavoidable reality.
Nigerian soldiers stationed near Niger, specifically at Malamfatori, shared their plight, citing acute shortages of food and essential items. Their predicament has been exacerbated by restrictions on movement enforced by Nigerien soldiers, preventing them from purchasing food in Bosso.
Amidst ongoing tensions, concerns of stalled businesses, economic hardships, and compromised livelihoods among residents in border communities persist.
The consequences of the border closure have resonated throughout these localities, impacting trade, commerce, and overall economic activity.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the resilience of these communities and their hope for a resolution remain steadfast. The crisis underscores the intricate interdependence of neighboring nations and the interconnectedness of regional economies.