Nigerien Customs seizes relief materials for Nigerian refugees

The Nigerien Customs otherwise known as Douanes have impounded six trucks of relief materials meant for Nigerian refugees in Niger Republic.

The items, donated by the Federal Government of Nigeria, were meant for the victims of banditry who fled to Gidan Runji in Maradi State of Niger Republic from Sokoto State.

The victims were from various communities ravaged by bandits’ attacks in Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas.

The goods, which left Sokoto around noon on Monday with some staff of the National Emergency Management Agency and those of the Sokoto state’s sister agency, had passed through Illela border post before they were seized by Douanes at Konni border town in Tawa State around 6pm.

The officers insisted on seeing the original copy of the permit which was at the time with the Nigerian Consular in Niger, Mr John Usman, before they could allow them passage.

When the consular brought the original copy yesterday, the Duoanes requested the NIP number and transit clearance which were later granted after the intervention of the chairman of Konni Local Government Area.

The NEMA officers were forced to pay 100,000 CF equivalent to N60,000 for the transit permit despite the waiver granted to them by the Nigerien Ministry of External Affairs as contained in the permit.

Our reporter, who was part of the mission, reports that the Nigerian officials were still waiting for the release of the items as of the time of filing this report.

The leader of the NEMA team, Dr Kofoworona Soley expressed disappointment with the way they were treated by the Douanes.

“We are here on humanitarian grounds and our visit is permitted by their government. Why are they subjecting us to this inhuman treatment?” he asked.