Nigerian refugees in Diffa, Niger Republic have cried out to the authorities in Nigeria and their host country to intervene on a new transport rule that grounded over 200 taxis with Nigerian number plates.
At least 20,000 Nigerians – men, women and children – are currently taking refuge in the Diffa region after fleeing attacks by Boko Haram in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
Malam Musa Abdullahi, the leader of the Nigerian taxi owners in Diffa, a migrant of Abadam LGA in Borno State, said so far, Nigerien police and customs had confiscated nearly 100 vehicles from them within one week.
He said the new rule enforced a demand that any Nigerian refugee who wants to transport goods or humans using a car with Nigerian number plate must acquire a paper that cost 600,000 CFA, which is equivalent to N700,000.
“Money is more than the value of many vehicles we use to fend for our families to be self-reliant.
“We are appealing to the Nigerian government, specifically Governor Zulum, to have bilateral discussion with the governor of Diffa to release our vehicles so as to continue with our lawful business,” he said.
