Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operating under Sector 4 in Diffa, Republic of Niger, have intercepted 174 Nigerian men heading to border communities in the Republic of Niger.
According to the Chief Military Information Officer, HQ MNJTF N’Djamena Chad, Lt. Col Olaniyi Osoba, in a statement on Friday, the suspects were intercepted at Gueskeru, a critical border town linking Yobe State in Nigeria and the Republic of Niger. They were able-bodied and unarmed.
While it was gathered that the suspects were reportedly travelling from various towns in Nigeria to the Lake Chad region, ostensibly for fishing activities, TheFact Daily notes that the porous borders and towns between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger have become a safe sanctuary for terrorist groups, particularly the recently identified Lakurawa terrorist group responsible for several horrific acts against innocent populace in border communities between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger.
“Given the vulnerability of the border towns between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger, the intercepted suspects raised serious security concerns because allowing such a large number of able-bodied men to access terrorist-infested areas may pose a significant threat”, Osoba stated.
As a result, troops of Sector 4, recognizing the implications, decisively halted the group’s journey and initiated a detailed profiling and interrogation process to establish their motives and ensure they do not threaten regional security.
Osoba averred that the MNJTF remains steadfast in its mission to counter terrorism, protect civilians and secure the region, noting that “the interception underscores the importance of heightened border vigilance and continued collaboration among troop contributing countries of MNJTF to counter cross border terrorism”.
