Troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), operating under Sector 4 in Diffa, Republic of Niger, have intercepted 174 able-bodied Nigerian men attempting to cross into border communities in Niger.
The men were stopped at Gueskeru, a critical border town linking Yobe State, Nigeria, to the Republic of Niger.
According to a statement by MNJTF spokesperson Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, the men claimed they were traveling from various towns in Nigeria to the Lake Chad region for fishing activities. However, concerns arose due to the porous nature of the borders, which are often exploited by terrorist groups such as the Lakurawa faction, notorious for attacks on border communities.
The large number of able-bodied men traveling to a region known for terrorist activity triggered security alarms. Officials worried their presence in such areas could escalate existing security threats.
Sector 4 troops intercepted the group and initiated a comprehensive profiling and interrogation process. This step aims to verify their intentions and ensure they pose no risk to regional security.
The MNJTF remains vigilant in securing the Lake Chad Basin and its surrounding areas, prioritizing efforts to curtail the activities of terrorist groups and prevent potential security breaches.
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