Niger Republic’s military regime has imposed additional entry points screening for almost all goods coming into the country from Nigeria, citing security concerns.

“I have the honour to inform you that, for security reasons, all goods coming from Nigeria, particularly goods classified as miscellaneous, must be unloaded and inspected at the entry offices before any transit formalities,” the regime said in a circular directed to the Nigerien customs on Monday.

The circular added, “However, goods, even if classified as miscellaneous, that are accompanied by documents from the port of unloading shall only be unloaded at their final destination or at the time of customs clearance formalities.”

The decision came just hours after Burkina Faso announced that it was detaining 11 Nigerian military officers and seized a cargo plane belonging to the Air Force following an emergency landing in the country after they crossed into Burkinabe airspace without authorisation.

According to a statement issued by the Alliance of Sahel States late on Monday, the Burkinabe authorities immediately launched an investigation to determine why the Nigerian military plane, alongside its 11 passengers, wandered into its territory without authorisation or diplomatic clearance.

“An investigation was immediately opened by the competent Burkinabe authorities and revealed the absence of authorisation for the aircraft to fly over Burkinabe territory. The Confederation of the Sahel States strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states,” the statement said.

Subsequently, the AES noted that its members, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, have placed their military forces on high alert and ready to engage external threats.