Following the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum’s administration in a coup and the approaching military action by the Economic Community of West African States against the junta, some Nigerians who had fled the Republic of Niger explain to ANIMASAHUN SALMAN how the action will affect them.
What are your residence and employment details for the Niger Republic?
Umar Abubakar is my name. I am a native of Kebbi State who currently resides in Agadez, a town in the Niger Republic, where I run a furniture business.
What specifically led you to Illela in the Sokoto State?
I am currently residing here (in Illela) after escaping from my place of employment in the Niger Republic due to the increased tension in the area brought on by the Economic Community of West African States’ decision.
For a few days following President Mohamed Bazoum’s removal from office by the military junta, there was considerable tension until things returned to normal.
How have Nigerians in the Niger Republic been feeling since ECOWAS promised to restore the expelled leader?
Many of us, particularly those of us from Nigeria, have been battling insomnia ever since the ECOWAS proclaimed that the deposed president should be reinstated. Although we haven’t been attacked, if we aren’t watchful, anything might happen. For this reason, I made the decision to return to Nigeria and to pray for a peaceful settlement to the conflict in the Niger Republic.
Now, Nigeria appears to be at war with them to the average Niger Republic citizen. They are unaware of ECOWAS, and as Nigeria is one of the most populated countries, they assume that it is behind the impending onslaught on Nigerien territory.
Do you worry that there might be war in the Niger Republic?
Only God knows what will happen after a war, therefore I pray this problem doesn’t lead to one. Ordinary Niger Republic inhabitants need to be severely sensitized to the fact that what ECOWAS is doing is for their benefit; else, it may become difficult for some of us (Nigerians) to coexist with them going forward.
What do you want the federal government to do as a Nigerian who lives in the Niger Republic?
I want our government in Nigeria to know that some of our citizens are residing there, so please have a backup plan. We all know how Nigeria is, so some of us decided to try our luck over there (in the Niger Republic), but with what is going on right now, staying there may become problematic.
The government should make sure that our citizens in the Niger Republic are protected; there are many of us there, and we come from every tribe in Nigeria. If there is going to be an attack against those coup plotters, our administration should start considering utilizing diplomatic means to remove us before the Nigerian people turn against us. Everyone is aware of what transpired in South Africa, where the enterprises owned by our people were the target. The government needs to act right now because we don’t want to endure unfair suffering.
Would you mind describing the situation in the Niger Republic before you left for Nigeria?
Hi, I’m Haruna Abdulazeez. I’m from Osun State in Nigeria, but I now live in Altis, a town in the Niger Republic. There, I am an artisan. I briefly left the Niger Republic for Nigeria since there was some tension there, and I will decide when and if I would return after closely monitoring how events develop in Nigeria.
Following the decision of the Economic Community of West African States led by President Bola Tinubu, were there threats of an attack by the host communities against foreigners, particularly Nigerians there?
Actually, there was nothing similar previously, but one can never be sure. Since it would be difficult for us to conceal from those people (Nigeriens), I made the decision to return to Nigeria and stay in Illela till things there returned to normal.
What will you suggest, if given the chance, that the Federal Government of Nigeria do in order to help its residents in the Niger Republic?
I will be grateful if our government prioritizes the needs of Nigerians living in the Niger Republic. Any attempt to declare war on the Niger Republic’s military junta through ECOWAS is a direct attack on the country’s Nigerian residents. Some of the states are different from those in Nigeria. In addition to the current rainy season, their road system is particularly poor. Most of us will have a very tough time finding a way out before they kill us all. In the interest of those of us who work and live there, I implore the Nigerian government to prevent ECOWAS from declaring war against the Niger Republic.
Have you discussed your circumstances and your plans for the future with your family in Osun State?
They all agreed with my decision to leave the Niger Republic for the time being in order to seek safety in Illela in Sokoto after speaking with them. It’s not like the majority of us who have returned for the time being live as refugees because we have one or two relatives there. We are not in an Illela camp for internally displaced people, which is better than nothing, but it still cannot be compared to one’s normal way of life.
What do you do where you live, in the Republic of Niger?
Nuhu Abdullahi is my name. Although I live in Niger Republic, I am from Niger State. I do food sales there.
Why did you leave your company in the Niger Republic behind and return to Nigeria?
In order to unwind and observe what is occurring in the Niger Republic, I traveled to Illela. From there, I will decide what to do next.
Can you tell us about your most recent experience there as well as what happened before you came back to Illela?
Because of the stress brought on by the military coup that destroyed the civilian administration, I departed. The coup was initially met with violent protests, during which people were seen setting their cars on fire. In other words, I’m here to protect myself from any potential attacks because the people of the Niger Republic would respond if the so-called ECOWAS forces try to invade their territory.
The bad part is that if ECOWAS or any other force from anywhere attacks, those of us who live there would pay the ultimate price.
How many years have you lived in Illela?
I’ve been here for a few days, and I have no idea when I’ll go; however, my departure date will depend on how quickly things change in the Niger Republic.
Where do you call Niger Republic home?
In case the crisis worsened, I had to leave my home, which is not far from Illela, and return to Nigeria to preserve my life. It’s sad that some Niger Republic residents now regard us as adversaries. Prior to the coup and the ECOWAS leaders’ response, we had been coexisting peacefully with these people.
Our request to the ECOWAS leadership is that they take into account the common inhabitants of Nigeria and the Niger Republic who were unaware of or had no part in the coup. All we want is peace, and we want the leaders of ECOWAS and the government to start talking about a solution. The intended use of force cannot possibly be of any assistance to us. It will only make things worse. Before making any decisions, the government should take our interests into account.