Troops from 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 suspects were stopped at Gueskeru, a strategic town connecting Yobe State in Nigeria to Niger.
According to MNJTF spokesperson Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, initial investigations revealed that the men were reportedly traveling to the Lake Chad region for fishing. However, their journey raised concerns due to the porous nature of the borders, which have become entry points for terrorist groups, including the notorious Lakurawa, responsible for attacks on border communities.
The large number of able-bodied men and their access to regions controlled by terrorists prompted the MNJTF to halt their movement. Troops have initiated a profiling and interrogation process to assess the potential security risks and prevent any threats to regional stability.
