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How cross-border smuggling increases Terrorism within the LCRBA
How cross-border smuggling increases Terrorism within the LCRBA
By: Zagazola Makama
The outlets and network of insurgency groups, invariably thrives on paddles of uninterrupted proliferation of smuggling of resources for survival. This is but the center of gravity of a more than a decade old insurgency campaign in the Northeast.
The network of proliferation and smuggling are tied to established strongholds, links and machinery of motions like couriers and spies who live by means to evade detection.
Despite means to curtail the nuisance, a persistent and sustained insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin is being threatened by exacerbated form of an intricate network of smuggling and illicit activities alongside funds and a strong ideological base that aids support to provide essential supplies to terrorist groups such as Boko Haram factions.
These networks, stretching across the Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, the Sahel and greater SAHEL which have become disturbing, ugly and notorious lifeline for insurgency, enabling groups linked to global terrorist organisations to sustain their operations and pose significant threats to National Security always and to the wider regional stability.
Zagazola understands that smugglers transport food, fuel, arms, and even uniforms to insurgent camps through a carefully mapped routes. Observably to be precise in the heart of the extreme north of the Cameroons, villages like Bulgaram, Cikka, Guma, Maltam, Doron Liman, and Ramin Dorina serve as critical transit points for supplies destined for terrorist-controlled areas.
This maintains an uninterrupted supply to outlets in Marte, Gamboru Ngala, Bama, Dikwa Local Government Areas areas amongst others in Borno State as well established a hub for food supplies funneled from Cameroon’s the Darak village and also amongst others. These supplies are often moved under the cover of night, leveraging market activities in towns like Kinchendi to obscure the illicit trade.
Borno state is bordered by Chad, Niger and Cameroon. With Kukawa and Abadam local government areas of the state bordering Tchad-Abadam, Mobbar bordering Niger Republic and Gamboru, Kala Balge, Bama and Gwoza bordering Cameroon. The hinterland axis provided the route for easy movement of weapons to the terrorist cells in Nigeria as well as fuel supplies.
Equally, the waterways and island lands provide the strategic location to facilitates the group movements on flying boats to enable them reach the terrorists locations with ease. These activities have recorded increase in recent times due to the withdrawal of the MNJTF maritime operation contingent in Darak. Similarly, Fuel and arms smuggling are equally rampant, with supplies transported from Kaula village in Niger to Tumbum Jaki, a notorious insurgent stronghold.
Smugglers often use firewood sellers and livestock transported in trucks as cover, allowing insurgents to blend into local communities. In Nigeria, towns like Jakana, Minok, Banishaik, Babangida, and Gaidam in Yobe State, as well as Hadejia in Jigawa State, are key points for distributing smuggled goods, fuel and arms including motorcycles used by terrorists for mobility.
Beyond logistical support, the insurgents have established revenue-generation networks. These include taxing local smugglers and merchants in areas like Gegime, Niger Republic, and engaging in fish and livestock trading through towns like Hadejia, Jigawa State as well as the sale of livestock from the Lake Chad through MONGUNO town, going to other parts of the country. This income is funneled back into their operations, perpetuating the cycle of violence and instability.
ISWAP have also have maintained a logistical support base in Kano, where agents of Bereau de-Change and other collaborators received money on behalf of the insurgents to fund activities of the insurgents in the Lake Chad. Other networks are domiciled in Maiduguri, Borno capital.
Escape routes for terrorists and collaborators also highlight the sophistication of these networks. Using points in Niger Republic such as Gigeme, or Cameroon villages like Mokolo and Bulgaram, insurgents disguise themselves and infiltrate Nigerian towns, including Madagali, and Mubi in Adamawa State, and cities like Kano and Abuja, often starting new lives or regrouping for further attacks. In many cases, they are transported through trucks conveying livestock that is heading to other part of the country.
The scale of this smuggling underscores the urgent need for coordinated action. To dismantle these networks security agencies must enhance surveillance along identified smuggling routes in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger. Regional collaboration between Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger is essential. Joint task forces and intelligence-sharing mechanisms can help track smugglers and cut off supply chains to terrorist groups.
The growing sophistication of smuggling networks in the Lake Chad region not only fuels terrorism but also undermines national security. A comprehensive and sustained effort is required to dismantle these operations and restore stability to the region. The time to act is now, before these illicit activities further entrench themselves as a permanent fixture of insecurity in the Sahel and beyond.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region.
How cross-border smuggling increases Terrorism within the LCRBA
Nigerian Workers Abandoned in CAR Get Succour at Nigerian Embassy
…Reps Committee Begins Probe of Incident
By: Michael Mike
The stranded Nigerians in Central Africa Republic CAR have finally arrived at the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui.
It will be recalled that through a viral video, some Nigerian miners called for help, which elicited immediate intervention from officials of the Nigerian Embassy and CAR security who accompanied them from their location to the capital.
The journey to Bangui took a number of days with the Nigerians, alleged victims of a Chinese National and a Nigerian agent who hired them for work in that country and abandoned them there without paying their renumeration for 11 months,
A statement on Wednesday by the spokesman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun said obviously traumatised, weak and distressed, they (the stranded Nigerians) had called for help to be rescued.
He said: “They are now in the safe hands of officials of the Nigerian Embassy who will arrange their return back home.”
He added that: “They expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and staff of both countries , the Nigerian Embassy, the CAR Security agencies and Nigerians who shared their stories.
“The agent who lured them into the job scam, is currently based in Nigeria and has been identified and is expected to be prosecuted .”
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations has launched a thorough investigation into a viral video depicting some Nigerians in the Central African Republic (CAR) alleging abandonment and passport seizure by a Nigerian businessman, purportedly linked to a Chinese company.
A statement released to the press and signed by the committee’s Chairman, Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to uncover the truth behind the allegations.
The statement read: The Committee regrets the unfortunate situation the Nigerian workers are being subjected to in CAR and assures that a comprehensive investigation is currently ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to their ordeal.”
The Committee clarified that Abdulrauf Ademola, the businessman accused in the video, has refuted the allegations of passport seizure, unpaid salaries, and abandonment. It further stressed that Ademola is not affiliated with the Chinese Embassy or the China General Chamber of Commerce.
It added that: “His (Ademola’s) actions or inactions should not be linked to the embassy or Chinese enterprises doing their legitimate businesses in Nigeria.”
The committee stated that China-Nigeria relations have flourished over time, yielding significant results across key sectors, including trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, human capital development, and people-to-people partnerships.
It urged the media and the public to report on China-Nigeria relations in a fair, balanced, and truthful manner, reflecting the mutual solidarity between the two nations.
End
Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Ghana to Douse Ongoing Tension
…Insists Nigeria Remains Committed to Better Nigeria-Ghana Relations
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has finally began the move to douse the ongoing tension with Ghana over the growing agitation by Ghanaians that Nigerians should leave their country, as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu
reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining robust relations with Ghana during a visit.
The Minister also said the relationship would not stop at government level but extend to citizen-to-citizen level.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu made this known on Wednesday during her ongoing two-day visit to the West African country.
According to a statement by the spokesman to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Magnus Eze, his principal is in Ghana to address the situation of Nigeria-Ghana citizens’ relations and meet with relevant stakeholders at both ends including the President of Ghana, the country’s Foreign Minister, traditional rulers and Nigerians resident in the country, to ensure that the life, property and businesses of Nigeria and Nigerians living in Ghana are safe and protected.
Eze said: “As part of the engagements for the minister, a few minutes after touching down at Kotoka Accra International Airport, Ghana on Tuesday evening, she had a quick interface with the Inspector General of Police Ghana, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who was on his way to London, United Kingdom.”
He disclosed that Odumegwu-Ojukwu continued similar engagements on Wednesday with Ghanian officials and leaders of the Nigeria community.
She is expected back to Abuja on Thursday.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Ghana to Douse Ongoing Tension
Tinubu Appoints Adeyemi as New CG, Federal Fire Service
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of DCG Olumode Samuel Adeyemi as the new substantive Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) with effect from 14th August, 2025.
The appointment was announced in a statement by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), signed by its secretary, Abdulmalik Jibrin.
The statement read: “This appointment follows the imminent retirement of the current Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola, on 1th August, 2025, upon attaining the age of sixty.
“DCG Olumode Samuel Adeyemi brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having transferred his service from the FCT Fire Service to the Federal Fire Service and grown to the rank of Deputy Controller-General of Fire in the Human Resource Directorate of the Service Headquarters.
“In the course of his career, the Officer has attended and passed all mandatory In-Service trainings, command course as well as other courses within and outside the country.
“He has served in various capacities and is equally a member/fellow of the following professional associations including Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria and Chartered Institute of Treasury Management of Nigeria.
“The Board extends its appreciation to the retiring Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola for his remarkable contributions to the development of the Federal Fire Service while also acknowledging his dedication and commitment to the service, and the numerous initiatives he spearheaded during his period of service.”
Tinubu Appoints Adeyemi as New CG, Federal Fire Service
Nigerian Workers Abandoned in CAR Get Succour at Nigerian Embassy
NDLEA, Education Ministry Agree on Drug Education in School Curriculum, Test for Varsity Students, Others
Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Ghana to Douse Ongoing Tension
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