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Inside Niger’s Intelligence Agency: Corruption, Influence Peddling, and Moral Decay at the Heart of the DGDSE
Inside Niger’s Intelligence Agency: Corruption, Influence Peddling, and Moral Decay at the Heart of the DGDSE
By: Our Reporter
For nearly two years, Niger’s Direction Générale de la Documentation et de la Sécurité Extérieure (DGDSE) has been plagued by corruption, influence trafficking, and a shocking decline in ethical standards. What should be a fortress of national intelligence and security has instead become a breeding ground for bribery, favoritism, and moral misconduct.
The recent dismissal of the powerful Director of Operations, Colonel Issa Yacouba, is just the tip of the iceberg. A deeper investigation reveals a well-oiled system of financial extortion, unethical recruitment, and even sexual blackmail all unfolding under the leadership of Bala Arabe.
Colonel Issa Yacouba’s dismissal is not an isolated case. Having served in the DGDSE since the Issoufou era, he was previously removed and jailed under President Mohamed Bazoum’s administration for selling a government-seized vehicle for 11 million CFA francs.
However, following the July 26, 2023 coup led by General Abdourahmane Tiani, he was reinstated as Director of Operations only to be dismissed again, along with several other agents, including National Guard officer Oumarou Kadadé, known as “O.K.”, and an officer named Dan Jouma. Reports indicate that a third constable is also implicated.
Yet, the deeper problem extends beyond individual dismissals. Under Bala Arabe’s leadership, recruitment into the DGDSE has become a business venture, where competence and qualifications no longer matter. The real power lies with his Chief of Staff, Loukman, who operates an extensive recruitment network with the help of a man named Mounkeila Sanda, also known as “PRIM.”
During this investigation, we posed as a security officer seeking recruitment into the DGDSE. The response was chilling: Since July 26, the DGDSE belongs to us, and we do what we want. Oga’s Chief of Staff will do the needful; if you pay the price, you will be recruited!”
This blatant admission confirms the allegations that financial bribery, rather than merit, now determines who gets into the country’s top intelligence service.
Sexual Blackmail in the Intelligence Ranks
Beyond financial corruption, our investigation uncovered disturbing cases of abuse of power, including sexual blackmail. One such case took place within the Groupe d’Appui et de Reconnaissance (GAR), a specialized DGDSE unit.
A lieutenant, who is reportedly close to Bala Arabe, developed an obsession with a female officer, Roumana, a National Guard member. When she rejected his advances, he waited for an opportunity to exploit her. That opportunity came when Roumana accidentally lost her service pistol. As per protocol, she reported the incident to her superiors. Instead of following standard procedures, the lieutenant saw this as leverage and offered to cover up the incident—on the condition that she sleep with him.
When she refused, he made a false report, portraying her as negligent and unfit for service. As a result, she was dismissed from GAR and reassigned to the National Guard (GNN). To further punish her, she was abruptly transferred to Zinder, with only three days to report to her new post.
The DGDSE is supposed to be Niger’s first line of defense against external threats, terrorism, and espionage. Instead, it has been turned into a marketplace for corruption, where positions are sold to the highest bidder and officers abuse their power for personal gain.
Under the leadership of Bala Arabe, merit has been replaced by financial transactions, influence peddling, and moral decay. The implications for national security are grave—when an intelligence agency is compromised from within, the entire country becomes vulnerable.
As these revelations come to light, the people of Niger and the country’s leadership must ask themselves: can the DGDSE still be trusted to protect the nation? Or has it become one of the biggest security risks Niger faces today?
Inside Niger’s Intelligence Agency: Corruption, Influence Peddling, and Moral Decay at the Heart of the DGDSE
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
By: Michael Mike
The European Union has pledged €22 million in grant funding to support Nigeria’s large-scale fibre-optic expansion, reinforcing the Federal Government’s drive to transform the country’s digital backbone.
The grant, announced in Abuja on Wednesday, will be channelled through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and on-granted to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for implementation of the government’s Project BRIDGE initiative.
The EU funding will sit alongside an €86 million loan from the EBRD’s own resources, pending final approval. The operation represents the EBRD’s first major sovereign financing in Nigeria since the country formally became a shareholder of the bank last year.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani described the agreement as a decisive step toward delivering the BRIDGE project within schedule, noting that Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda depends heavily on robust and inclusive broadband infrastructure.
He said the partnership reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s digital roadmap and expressed optimism that 2026 would mark a year of tangible progress in cooperation between Nigeria and the EU.
EBRD President, Odile Renaud-Basso, who is on an official visit to Nigeria, said the bank was proud to collaborate with the EU to expand digital infrastructure in Africa’s largest economy. She noted that the technical cooperation embedded in the financing is structured to crowd in private capital while ensuring secure, resilient and inclusive connectivity.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, underscored the strategic importance of digital networks to both Nigeria and the EU, stressing the need for trusted, high-integrity infrastructure built to international standards.
Project BRIDGE aims to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables nationwide through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will be capitalised with sovereign loans and private sector participation. In addition to the EBRD financing, the Federal Government is expected to receive support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
The EU’s €22 million package combines technical assistance with investment support to speed up project preparation and strengthen implementation capacity. It will fund low-level design work for about 40,000 kilometres of the planned network, including route mapping, crossing surveys, digital planning, quality assurance and security risk assessments aligned with global best practices.
Officials said this groundwork would provide the SPV with a ready-to-execute blueprint, enabling immediate rollout once financing arrangements are finalised and the vehicle is established with at least 51 per cent private sector ownership.
Beyond infrastructure, the grant is expected to deepen Nigeria’s digital skills base. About 2,000 technicians will receive specialised training, while small subcontractors will gain access to pooled procurement systems and equipment subsidies designed to reduce entry barriers.
Authorities estimate that these measures could lower deployment costs by between 20 and 30 per cent, while promoting adherence to Nigerian and EU quality standards and encouraging participation of European technology suppliers in the fibre supply chain.
The intervention forms part of the EU’s broader Global Gateway strategy, which supports investments in digital infrastructure, public services and human capital development across partner countries.
For Nigeria, the partnership signals renewed international backing for its ambition to build a resilient, open-access broadband network capable of driving economic growth, innovation and digital inclusion nationwide.
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled suspected insurgents and neutralised a suspected informant during operations in Ngamdu area of Borno.
Military sources said the action followed signals intelligence indicating that suspected Boko Haram elements were massing.
At about 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 18, troops carried out a fire mission on the identified area, forcing the insurgents to disperse and abort their suspected plan.
Shortly afterward, at about 3:45 a.m., troops engaged and neutralised a suspected insurgent informant who attempted to breach the trench defensive position in Ngamdu.
Sources said the troops immediately conducted a search of the surrounding area after the encounter but made no further contact with fleeing suspects.
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have disrupted a suspected terrorist gathering and arrested five suspected arms smugglers during separate operations in Yobe State.
Security sources said that at about 6:21 p.m. on Feb. 17, troops conducted a fire mission following credible intelligence that terrorists were converging in large numbers on motorcycles at Mangari, about 10.6 kilometres from the location of the 135 Special Forces Battalion in Buratai.
The swift action forced the insurgents to disperse in disarray, effectively disrupting their suspected plans.
In a separate development, troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Potiskum apprehended five suspected arms smugglers and abductors at about 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 18 at a checkpoint along the Gombe–Potiskum road.
Those arrested included a 41-year-old suspect, Baba Abare, who was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle, alongside four others identified as Idris Zakari, 33; Nasiru Aliyu, 25; Abdullahi Sulaiman, 35; and Mohammed Idris, 34, all said to be indigenes of Potiskum town.
The suspects were intercepted in two Golf Wagon vehicles bearing registration numbers Borno NGL-506XA and Kaduna DKD16-01.
They were disarmed and handed over to appropriate authorities for further investigation.
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
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