Troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), operating in Sector 4 in Diffa, Republic of Niger, have apprehended 174 Lukarawa members who were trying to enter border communities between Yobe and Niger republic.
This was revealed via a statement by the MNJTF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba on Thursday, December 5.
The suspects were intercepted at Gueskeru, a strategic border town linking Yobe State in Nigeria with the Republic of Niger.
Preliminary investigations showed that the suspects had traveled from different towns in Nigeria to the Lake Chad region, allegedly for fishing activities.
However, concerns were raised because of the porous borders, which have become safe havens for terrorist groups, including the Lakurawa group, notorious for several attacks on border communities.
The large number of able-bodied men sparked security concerns, as their potential access to areas controlled by terrorists could present a serious threat.
As a result, Sector 4 troops halted their movement and initiated a comprehensive profiling and questioning process to assess their motives and ensure they did not pose a risk to regional security.
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