The land border between Nigeria and Niger (Photo: channelstv)

Adewale Adeniyi, acting comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service, said the decision for the total blockage of the land border is to comply with the directive of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to suspend the movement of cargo until further notice.

Adeniyi revealed this during a visit to the border town of Jibia in the northern state of Katsina bordering Niger on Friday, saying the decision was taken in the interest of peace and stability between the two countries.

Electricity supply to Niger Republic was also cut off by Nigeria as part of the sanctions. Niger depends on Nigeria for 70 percent of its power. This has affected the capacity of power supply in big cities in Niger.

The ActuNiger on Saturday reported that the new Nigerien authorities have appointed Brig. Gen. Moussa Salaou Barmou as the Chief of General Staff of the armed forces. Barmou previously served as chief of special forces of the Nigerien army.