Troops Halt Movement Of 174 Suspected Men At Niger Border Amid Security Concerns.
Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), operating under Sector 4 in Diffa, Republic of Niger, have intercepted 174 Nigerian men attempting to cross into Niger’s border communities.
The men were stopped at Gueskeru, a crucial border town connecting Yobe State, Nigeria, with Niger. According to a statement from Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, spokesperson for the MNJTF, the group claimed they were travelling to the Lake Chad region for fishing activities.
However, the situation raised security concerns due to the porous nature of the border. This region has become a hotspot for terrorist activity, particularly by the Lakurawa terrorist group, which has been responsible for numerous attacks on border communities.
The unusually large number of men en route to this sensitive area triggered alarms among security officials. Their potential access to territories controlled by terrorists was deemed a significant threat to regional stability.
To address these concerns, MNJTF troops halted the group’s journey and initiated thorough profiling and interrogation procedures to ascertain their motives and ensure they posed no risk to regional security.
This operation highlights the ongoing efforts of the MNJTF to secure the Lake Chad Basin and its border regions, which remain critical in the fight against terrorism. Authorities have reassured citizens that they are committed to protecting communities and preventing activities that could compromise peace and stability.