Borders stay closed, and border towns are hit hard (photos)

The border at MaiAdua shows footpaths crisscrossing between countries

Traders and residents walk around the border post at Maigatari to enter either country every day

Beast, traders, security and handymen share the RN13, the Maigatari Border highway, metres from the border with Niger

Seemingly irrelevant items as padlocks are essential to the real economy, but in border towns, nearly everything is transborder

A young takes a donkey-back ride. Beasts of burden are a means of transport for many families who can still afford to own one.

No time for idle hands. View of a man’s hands securing a tether to the feet of animals being inspected for purchase

No need for transport. This boy forcibly transports the family’s goat for sale at the livestock market in Maigatari

It is a Thursday but these young people are not in school. They are grouping in a shed to sell food to customers thronging the market

In Maiadua, children are a big part of the trading community. These boys are left in charge of a ice chest full of drinks for sale

Highway to Maiadua is littered with the relics of Daura, famous for the President.

Bought animals awaiting transport. By this time two years ago, up to 2,000 donkeys alone were bought and sold in a single day’s trading

Beast, traders, security and handymen share the RN13, the Maigatari Border highway, metres from the border with Niger

A young takes a donkey-back ride. Beasts of burden are a means of transport for many families who can still afford to own one.

A truck rumbles onto the road and more hangers-on run to secure berth in the open back

A couple of the trucks standing by to transport bought livestock. This time last year, more than 20 of these trucks would have been loaded and driven off with animals day before

A couple of the trucks standing by to transport bought livestock. This time last year, more than 20 of these trucks would have been loaded and driven off with animals day before

Two dealers negotiate purchase of livestock. One thing they are still to settle on is the cost of transporting the sold animals

The real economy of Maigatari is dependent on livestock. It supports an entire value chain of jobs for hire, all under threat as borders stay closed

The number of livestock crossing the border has reduced since the closure of border, traders say

The border town of Maiadua in Katsina is also famous for livestock trade. This market supports at least 1,000 young people who it is feared are now roaming the streets

Sold off–Many livestock spend days corralled away before they are eventually sold. It is negative impact of border closure, according to traders in the border town on Maigatari