How extortion, multiple checkpoints undermine ECOWAS free movement protocol

Many citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have narrated how security agencies have been extorting them while plying the roads across the region to carry out their legitimate businesses. Commuters who spoke to the Daily Trust recently during a visit to the Lagos/Seme border said security agencies erect multiple checkpoints to […]

Many citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have narrated how security agencies have been extorting them while plying the roads across the region to carry out their legitimate businesses.

Commuters who spoke to the Daily Trust recently during a visit to the Lagos/Seme border said security agencies erect multiple checkpoints to extort them while plying the roads.

Joseph Dibang, a Nigerian commercial driver with Chisco Company, said extortion, harassment, and delays are common during cross-border trips.

“From Nigeria to Ghana, it takes us 12 to 13 hours because of unnecessary stoppages,” Dibang said. “When we’re returning, they disturb us less, but going, it’s a nightmare.”

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He described how border officials across Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire demand unofficial payments. “Each Ghanaian checkpoint collects 10 cedis (over 1,000 naira) and there are more than 30 checkpoints,” Dibang said. “Sometimes, they charge us 50 cedis based on what they see in the vehicle.”

When asked whether receipts were issued for these charges, Dibang responded bluntly, “No. Nothing. It’s all under the table.”

Additionally, a Beninese driver, speaking in French, explained how regional integration policies are often overlooked in the corridor.

“When our vehicles go to Côte d’Ivoire, they are fined heavily, even if everything is in order.

Another commercial vehicle driver who plies the Badagry/Seme Road, Akintunde Musa, complained of the multiple checkpoints on the Nigerian side of the Badagry/Seme border.

“The police also extort us, asking for money for the road we use. We also have the army, navy and the air force on the road too. They all ask for money, and if you don’t pay, they will impound you for some period before they set you free.

Adeoye David, who plies the Roundabout to Seme axis of the corridor, said apart from the police, the Road Safety Corps also use a local boy as a front to extort them N1000 each time they ply the road.

“I have my driver’s licence, my documents are intact, but they will still demand that money and if you don’t give it to them, they will impound your car and take it to their office and give you a ticket immediately for offences you don’t know anything about,” he said while speaking to the press in Baji, Badagry.

He appealed for a reduction in the number of checkpoints on the corridor, claiming they face over 40 checkpoints before crossing to Seme.

 

 Scanner not working

Meanwhile, the scanner at the Seme border, which was procured by ECOWAS in 2018 to facilitate the movement of goods, is currently not working, according to customs officials.

Dr Ben Oramalugo, Comptroller of Customs, Seme Border, said: “Up to 100 trucks can pass here in a day, but without this equipment, we handle 10 a day.

“We now do manual physical examination, but we can’t open all the cartons; however, the scanner helps you to see hidden things inside the cartons. That is why we should have the scanner working again.”

The scanner was designed to do joint examination, which makes the clearance procedure seamless and fast.

 

 ECOWAS free movement protocol

The ECOWAS was established in 1975 with the primary aim of fostering economic cooperation and integration among its member states. One of its most significant policies is the Free Movement Protocol, which was adopted in May 1979.

Additionally, ECOWAS introduced measures such as the ECOWAS Travel Certificate and the ECOWAS Brown Card, which facilitate movement and provide insurance coverage for travellers.

This protocol seeks to facilitate the unrestricted movement of people, goods, and services across the region, thereby promoting economic growth, social cohesion, and regional stability.

It is designed to achieve three key objectives. One is the Visa-Free Entry, which allows citizens of ECOWAS member states to travel freely within the region without requiring a visa.

The second is the Right of Residency. This allows individuals to reside in any ECOWAS country, provided they comply with local regulations.

Thirdly, it provides for the right of establishment. By this, citizens can set up businesses and engage in economic activities in any member state.

The protocol has several benefits. By allowing businesses to expand beyond national borders, the protocol fosters trade and investment.

Also, citizens can travel freely, leading to greater cultural understanding and unity. More so, workers can seek jobs in different countries, reducing unemployment and poverty within the community.

 

 Security concerns

However, despite recording some successes, the Free Movement Protocol faces several challenges. Issues such as human trafficking, terrorism, and smuggling have raised concerns about unrestricted movement.

Adade Peter, Comptroller of Immigration Service, Lagos Border Patrol Command, Seme, raised the alarm that human traffickers were having a field day in West Africa, calling for swift action by authorities to nip the ugly situation in the bud.

He said: “We see children, minors being taken across these borders. In the last year, we have been able to reunite girls, in particular, with their families after rescuing them at various checkpoints.”

He appealed to the ECOWAS to help facilitate operations across borders to apprehend the human traffickers who are scattered within the region, adding that “some are in Ivory Coast, some are in Benin, some are in Ghana, and some are in Nigeria.”

Moreso, Security officers who spoke with journalists said most of those plying the Lagos-Seme corridor don’t have valid documents, mistaking free movement for movement without relevant documents.

A Chief Superintendent of immigration, Ahmed Salisu, said: “We refuse people who do not have their valid travel document for departure. That is within the context of the law. And for foreigners coming into Nigeria, the law stipulates that if they do not have their valid travel documents, they should be refused departure.

“We work within that context of the law,” he argued.

“ECOWAS needs to enlighten the public. Many don’t know the rudiments of ECOWAS free movement. We know it’s the abolition of visas, but we still face the challenge that many are not aware. They believe it’s an ECOWAS country, and they can go in and come out at any time.

He denied the allegation of extortion by the drivers, saying many of them bring irregular migrants into the country and always prevent security agencies from checking their documents.

 

Tinubu orders dismantling of checkpoints

President Bola Tinubu has, meanwhile, ordered the setting up of a Presidential Task Force to dismantle multiple checkpoints that are hindering free movement.

Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS, who disclosed this during a recent visit to the Nigeria/Benin Republic border in Seme, said: “We are starting with the Seme-Badagry Corridor first.”

“That committee has been set up under the authority of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon start working to address this issue,” he said.

Referring to the Badagry/Seme border, Ambassador Nuhu said, “This is the busiest border in West Africa, in terms of passage of goods, people and services. And if free movement is working in West Africa, it is in this border that we will be able to find out”.

On his part, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, said that receipts must accompany any payment made by motorists.

He lamented that the multiple checkpoints and extortion of community citizens across the member states were defeating the intention of ECOWAS to have a more integrated region.

“While you check passengers and road users, we should go beyond these charges of being asked to pay money without receipts. If any payments are due, they should be officially receipted.”

Speaking about the faulty facilities, Touray said: “I am a little disappointed to see that there are a lot of facilities, a lot of equipment that does not work. It’s disappointing because when I see them, I notice that they are not cheap facilities.

“So, if we have them, they must continue to work.

“I think this visit is important for us in many ways. First, it enables us to see how the free movement protocol of ECOWAS is being implemented at such an important corridor. This is one of the busiest border posts. So, what happens here tells us a lot about the ECOWAS free movement protocol. And what works well will inspire us elsewhere.

“We do hope that the challenges we are facing here can be resolved and enable us to replicate this elsewhere.”

He said ECOWAS must ensure infrastructure works optimally, as neglect is unsustainable, adding that: “Challenges exist both mechanically—requiring repairs—and on the human side, such as excessive checkpoints. Streamlining processes without compromising security is crucial.”

He said ECOWAS provides the infrastructure, but Member States must maintain it, saying dialogue is needed to resolve inefficiencies and improve regional cooperation.