Niger Orders Mandatory Inspection of All Nigerian Goods Amid Heightened Security Tensions
The military authorities in the Republic of Niger have introduced new restrictions on goods entering the country from Nigeria, citing rising security threats in the region. The directive, signed by Colonel Mohamed Yacouba Siddo of the Customs Formalities Corporation, was circulated after being posted on X by security analyst Brant Grant. It mandates that all goods originating from Nigeria — especially those labelled as “miscellaneous goods” — must be offloaded and fully inspected at Niger’s entry points before any onward movement. “For security requirements, all goods originating from Nigeria, particularly so-called miscellaneous goods, must be unloaded and inspected at the entry offices before any transit formalities,” the circular stated. It also noted that only goods with valid documentation from recognised ports of discharge would be permitted to proceed to their final destinations. Colonel Siddo directed officers to enforce the rule strictly and report any difficulties encountered during implementation. The development follows rising regional tensions, including Sunday’s failed coup attempt in the Republic of Benin. It also aligns with claims by the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) that eleven Nigerian military personnel were detained in Burkina Faso for allegedly violating its airspace — an allegation the Nigerian Air Force has denied, explaining the aircraft made an emergency landing due to technical issues.
