VANGUARD
NIGERIAN communities along the Nigeria-Niger border are facing a growing uncertainty and anxiety as a result of the profound impact of the Niger coup crisis. With the border closed and vital services knocked out, misery coupled with frustration has become the lot of the residents.
The situation remains dire as the suffering triggered by the closure of the borders stretches into weeks and months with no end in sight. Food, water, and electricity supplies have since dried up, while free movement of goods and services has also been stalled between the dwellers of the borderline areas since the coup rattled the country some weeks ago.
In an interview with Arewa Voice, the Acting Village Head of Magama Community in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, Sani Abubakar, listed the multi-faceted nature of the crisis and its repercussions on border communities.
In the midst of the escalating political turmoil, Abubakar shared how the crisis had severely affected life in the community, particularly in terms of the scarcity and exorbitant prices of essential goods imported from across the border.
Food items like rice and spaghetti, which were once affordable, have since witnessed substantial price hikes, putting a strain on household budgets. Abubakar said that a bag of rice that used to cost around N31,000 now goes for N45,000.
He pointed out that, apart from the high cost, securing such products has become a daunting task due to their scarcity and restricted access.
Despite these difficulties, the borderline communities have so far avoided widespread unrest as cases of violence and displacement are unheard of…
