Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operating under Sector 4 in Diffa, Republic of Niger have intercepted 174 unarmed, able-bodied Nigerian men attempting to cross into the Niger border communities.
A statement by the Chief Military Information Officer MNJTF, Lt-Col Olaniyi Osoba said the suspects were intercepted at Gueskeru, a critical border town linking Yobe State in Nigeria with the Republic of Niger.
Lt-Col Osoba said preliminary investigations revealed that the Nigerian citizens were travelling from various towns in Nigeria to the Lake Chad region supposedly for fishing activities.
He, however, recalled that the porous borders and towns between Nigeria and the neighbouring country have become a safe sanctuary for terrorist groups, particularly the recently identified Lakurawa group which is responsible for several horrific acts against innocent population in border communities between the two countries.
“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.
“As a result, troops of Sector 4 recognising 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 noted.
He assured that the MNJTF remains steadfast in its mission to counter terrorism, protect civilians and secure the region.
“The interception underscores the importance of heightened border vigilance and continued collaboration among troop contributing countries of MNJTF to counter cross border terrorism,” he added.