Scores of trailer drivers returning back to Nigeria from the Republic of Niger have appealed to President Bola Tinubu-led administration to allow them entry back into the country so as to reunite with their families.
Sunday, Tribune gathered that most of the drivers were caught outside the country before the announcement of border closure, which denied them free access back to the country.
Our correspondent, who was at the Illela border to ascertain the situation, gathered that scores of trailers belonging to the country were currently at the entry post without permission to enter the country.
Some of the drivers who spoke with our correspondent confirmed that they have spent an average of one week on the border between Nigeria and Niger Republic as both countries have closed down their borders.
One of the victims who spoke with our correspondent said, “Honestly, we are tired here. My name is Jimoh Abass, a motor boy with one of the trailers, and we have been here now for some days coming back from Yemen in the Niger Republic.
“We came from Lagos to deliver goods in Niger, and unfortunately, on our way coming back here, we were denied entries by security agents from Nigeria claiming our border is closed for now.
“If we were able to escape from security agents from the Niger Republic, where the problem is, why will they deny us entering into our country, for God’s sake.
“We are appealing to Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to intervene and order for the immediate opening of this border before we all die of hunger here.
“We are all here in a place called no man’s land, it is in between the Nigeria and Niger Republic border, without any security or whatever.
“Our people are dying of hunger, and coupled with insecurity ravaging everywhere, we are appealing to the federal government to help us come back to our country and reunite with our families”
Also speaking, Nuradeen Lawal, a driver of another truck coming from Niamey, the headquarters of the Republic of Niger, appealed to members of the general public to come to their aid.
Lawal said apart from the fact that most of them are broke, the issue of security is another major factor that needs to be put into consideration by the Nigerian authority.
“We are using this opportunity to send a save our souls message to Mr President, Bola Ahmed Aliyu, to consider the immediate opening of our border for use.
“We are all Nigerians doing our legal duty as drivers, for God’s sake, we should not be treated like criminals or aliens in our country.
“We left Jos to deliver potato in Niamey, and we have all our papers before we left Nigeria, but here we are now without hope of when we will return home,” he added.
