On 25th February, the Integrated Operations Coordination Centre said that 17 suspected terrorists were “neutralised” and 33 criminals and their accomplices were also arrested in anti-terrorist and anti-crime raids that brought in the seizure of a large amount of weapons and ammunition.
According to a CICO statement, during the period of February 16 to 22, Defence and Security Forces (FDS) carried out military operations all over the country under the names Niya, Damissa and Garkouwa, at the end of which 17 suspected terrorists were killed, and 33 criminals and their associates were apprehended.
Security forces had found 1,098 dynamic sticks, 48 kilograms of cannabis, about 23,250 litres of smuggled fuel and hundreds of thousands of harmful tablets in the course of the operation, the statement added.
It said, “these outcomes undermine the logistical and financial nets of criminal organisations, and noted that security agencies are continuing to put pressure on the rest of the country.”
There were three cases of improvised explosive devices (IED). In the statement, the security institution described the military operations throughout the week, including the fact that specialised teams decommissioned two devices, and the third one exploded without any casualties, causing only minor material damage to a military vehicle.
In the right bank of the Niger River under the operation Niya, the security forces were deployed late on February 16 after receiving a report of armed terrorist elements infiltrating the village of Sirem-Tondikoire. The recovery of an AK-47 rifle, four loaded magazines, a TYT portable radio, and other items dropped by the fleeing suspects was recovered by sweep operations. Stores that were robbed by the attackers were found and refunded to the owners.
On February 22, a patrol in the Ouro Gueladjo area apprehended and neutralised a suspected lookout, validating an assertive post of the authorities that there is an enemy observation post within the area.
Security forces were able to carry out various security operations under Operation Damissa. Later, on February 17, a cordon and search was carried out at the Boumba market, which stretched to the riverbanks, and led to the discovery of a large pirogue carrying 19 smaller boats, four hunting rifles, pellets, homemade cartridges and other supplies.
The next evening, an operation was undertaken by the Tombo Mouza border post to capture armed motorcycle riders. One motorcycle was shot down accurately, and an AK-47-type weapon and ammunition were incinerated during the operation. The statement added that the attackers had fled to Nigeria, allegedly.
On a night patrol in Horou Boule, some 7 kilometres north of Yelou, the military responded to intelligence of an enemy presence after tracking down and killing an armed figure and retrieving his weapon.
On February 18, a vehicle driving between Amzeguer and Dirkou was intercepted under Operation Garkouwa when it was fired upon after it was warned against proceeding. The car had almost 4,000 jerrycans of smuggled fuel. Law enforcement agents detained three individuals and confiscated fuel, different items, and cash.
CICO added, “the Defence and Security Forces reiterated their resolve to keep on with the operations and urged the population to join the fight in order to enhance security and maintain peace in our land.”
Niger has experienced a consistent insecurity in various parts due to armed groups, criminal networks, and cross-border trafficking. Security agencies constantly carry out missions to eliminate militant groups, disrupt the supply of logistic networks, and curtail smuggling, especially along the borders and the riverside regions.
During recent years, there has been an increase in the number of coordinated activities at multiple theatres, and the use of armed incursions, illegal fuel movement, and weapon distribution and explosive devices is one of the areas.
The most recent military activities underscore the continued pressure on the suspected militant and criminal groups in the nation.
