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Nigerien Troops Arrest Wanted Azawad Militant Leader, Inkinane Ag Attaher, at Border

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Nigerien Troops Arrest Wanted Azawad Militant Leader, Inkinane Ag Attaher, at Border

By Zagazola Makama

The Troops of the Niger Armed Forces have arrested Inkinane Ag Attaher, a key figure in the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), at the Niger-Nigeria border during a coordinated intelligence-led operation carried out between April 3 and 4, 2025.

Intelligence sources, told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, a former Malian army officer who deserted to join separatist and terrorist-linked networks in the Sahel, was intercepted while attempting to enter Nigeria to meet some contacts.

Ag Attaher, who has long been on the radar of regional security services, is alleged to have played a strategic role in the training and equipping of FLA fighters with kamikaze drones, and in coordinating external support for terrorists groups.

ISWAP terrorists have intensified the use of Chinese made drones to carry out attacks in Military formations in Nigeria, prompting security agencies to ask the questions “where are the terrorists acquiring drones and training”?

Security reports indicated that Ag Attaher has maintained close ties with Akli Shikka, under whose coordination several FLA militants were sent to Ukraine for advanced combat and drone warfare training. In return, Ukrainian instructors were reportedly deployed to different parts of the Sahel to train fighters.

The suspect was seriously injured during a drone-handling session on February 13, 2024, and was later evacuated through Mauritania for treatment, security sources revealed.

A founding member of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), Ag Attaher also served as an advisor to its leader, Bilal Ag Acharif. He is believed to have played a prominent role in destabilization campaigns targeting countries of the Sahel.

He has also been linked to several deadly attacks in Mali, Burkina, including the bombing of a passenger boat in Timbuktu that killed dozens of civilians, as well as coordinated assaults on military installations.

Security agencies further alleged that Ag Attaher acted as an informant for the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), particularly during the mass killings reported in 2022 across Menaka and Gao regions in Mali.

The Nigerien military described his arrest as a “significant breakthrough” in the ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational terrorist networks operating across West Africa.

Nigerien Troops Arrest Wanted Azawad Militant Leader, Inkinane Ag Attaher, at Border

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Troops neutralize 13 bandits in Plateau offensive, recover weapons and logistics items

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Troops neutralize 13 bandits in Plateau offensive, recover weapons and logistics items

By: Zagazola Makama

The sustained military offensive against armed groups in Plateau State has recorded a significant breakthrough following the neutralisation of 13 suspected terrorists in Wase and Kanam Local Government Areas.

Security sources said troops under Operation Wutan Daji, on April 9, intensified clearance operations across identified terrorist corridors, including Daba and Seri villages.

The operation, which commenced at about 8:30 a.m., involved the establishment of blocking positions between Dutsen Zaki and Odare Forest, where troops made contact with armed elements moving on motorcycles.

The suspected terrorists were reportedly engaged in a firefight, resulting in the neutralisation of several of them, while others escaped with injuries.

Following exploitation of the area, troops confirmed that about 10 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter.

Items recovered from the scene included two motorcycles, five containers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) of 25 litres each, one AK-47 rifle, and a magazine loaded with three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Military authorities said the operation remains ongoing as troops continue clearance actions and exploitation of surrounding forests believed to serve as escape routes for armed groups.

The latest development reflects an intensified push by security forces to disrupt mobility corridors used by armed groups operating across Plateau’s forested and border communities.

The operation also illustrates a shift towards more aggressive blocking and interception tactics aimed at denying militants freedom of movement and access to logistics supplies.

Authorities have assured that further updates will be provided as operations progress in the affected areas.

lTroops neutralize 13 bandits in Plateau offensive, recover weapons and logistics items

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Several bandits killed as Army, DSS, Local Volunteer Forces Foil Attacks on Niger Communities

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Several bandits killed as Army, DSS, Local Volunteer Forces Foil Attacks on Niger Communities

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and local volunteer forces on Tuesday successfully foiled what locals said would have been a large-scale attack by bandits on Bagna and Erena communities in Shiroro LGA of Niger state.

Credible security sources disclosed that the move by the operatives followed advance intelligence on the the planned attack.

According to the sources, as bandits in their numbers made to storm Bagna and Erene communities, the security operatives and volunteers ambushed them, killing scores of the attackers.

“Over 300 bandits armed with dangerous weapons and on motorcycles we’re headed to the communities. Unfortunately for them, security operatives and local vigilantes, who had credible intelligence on their movements, ambushed them. Scores were killed while many others fled toward the Makuba and Allawa axis” disclosed the source.

Residents of the communities expressed gratitude to the security operatives and volunteer forces, noting that their gallantry saved them from what would have been a major disaster.

“We are very happy. We thank the joint security forces for protecting us,” one of the residents stated.

“We are witnessing an increase in collaboration between security agencies and local volunteer forces. This has led to a bridging of security gaps, and making the first line of defence against insecurity very effective,” offered the source, stressing, “their actions have helped strengthen security in several communities across the country.”

Several bandits killed as Army, DSS, Local Volunteer Forces Foil Attacks on Niger Communities

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Troops arrest two suspected militia members in Kokona LGA In Nassarawa

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Troops arrest two suspected militia members in Kokona LGA In Nassarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 2 Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested two suspected militia members during an intelligence-led operation in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Security sources said the suspects were arrested at about 1:15 p.m. on April 5, 2026, in Atara community following actionable intelligence.

During the operation, one of the suspects reportedly attempted to stab a soldier, prompting the troops to respond, during which he sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.

The injured suspect was evacuated to the Public Health Care facility in Bassa for medical attention.

The two suspects have since been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Troops arrest two suspected militia members in Kokona LGA In Nassarawa

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