Soldiers Intercept 174 Suspected Individuals Heading to Niger Border Communities
Troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), operating in Sector 4 in Diffa, Republic of Niger, have detained 174 Nigerian men suspected of attempting to cross into Niger’s border communities.
The interception took place at Gueskeru, a crucial border town that links Yobe State in Nigeria with the Republic of Niger.
Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, the MNJTF spokesperson, confirmed in a statement that initial investigations revealed the suspects were traveling from various Nigerian towns towards the Lake Chad region, purportedly for fishing activities.
However, concerns emerged due to the porous nature of the border, which has been exploited by terrorist groups, including the Lakurawa terrorist faction, notorious for its repeated attacks on border settlements. The large group of able-bodied men raised security alarms, especially given their proximity to areas heavily infested with terrorist elements, which could potentially pose a threat to regional stability.
As a result, Sector 4 troops halted their movement and initiated a detailed profiling and questioning process to assess the men’s intentions and ensure no risks to security were posed.
