Jihadist Expansion Reshapes Border Areas of Niger, Nigeria and Benin – Report

By: Zagazola Makama

Violent campaigns by jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State are reshaping security dynamics across the border areas of Niger, Nigeria, and Benin, according to a new security analysis.

The report indicates that the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) have significantly expanded their operations southward from traditional Sahel strongholds, transforming border regions such as Dosso in Niger, Alibori in Benin, and parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states in Nigeria into active conflict zones.

Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) confirms a sharp rise in politically motivated violence in the affected regions, with reported incidents and fatalities more than doubling since 2023.

The report underscores that both JNIM and ISSP are leveraging porous borders to consolidate their presence, establish proto-state structures, and complicate military containment efforts, all while exploiting local economies and illicit trade routes to fund their operations.

Emergence of a New Frontline

JNIM, formed in 2017 through the merger of four Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups, has adopted a strategy of building local alliances and embedding within communities. Its expansion into Benin, Ghana and Togo began from strongholds in eastern Burkina Faso and southwest Niger.

In contrast, ISSP, with roots in Mali’s Ménaka region and Niger’s Tahoua and Tillabéri regions, has intensified its activities in central Dosso, targeting infrastructure such as the Benin-Niger oil pipeline. The group also employs economic warfare tactics, including the collection of zakat (Islamic tax), control of supply corridors, and attacks on critical installations.

The report dismissed media claims about a new group called “Lakurawa” operating in the Niger-Nigeria border region, noting that fighters under this label are part of ISSP networks long established in Dosso, Sokoto, and Kebbi.

Tensions and Territorial Rivalries

JNIM and ISSP operations now overlap in Dosso, particularly in Gaya and Dioundiou communes, leading to competition and possible future confrontations. While both groups have so far coexisted in some areas, experts warn that their history of violent rivalry, especially in Mali’s Liptako-Gourma region, may soon spark conflict.

Recent incidents, such as the February 22 attack on villages near Koutoumbou in Dioundiou, attributed to ISSP, mark a shift toward mass atrocities against civilians, signaling a dangerous escalation.

The expansion of militant control is reshaping social structures and local economies. Both groups are embedding within communities, using religious outreach, propaganda, and coercion to recruit fighters, preach in mosques, and impose strict interpretations of Sharia law.

In parts of northern Benin and Niger, local economies are being co-opted to serve militant logistics, with communities coerced into supporting illicit fuel and goods trade.

This militant entrenchment is also driving the rise of local self-defense groups such as the Yansakai in Nigeria’s northwest and the Zankai in Niger’s Tillabéri region. While these groups aim to protect their communities, they also risk fuelling ethnic tensions and communal violence.

Regional Security Efforts

In response to the deteriorating security environment, the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced plans to form a joint force of 5,000 troops. The force is part of broader efforts by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to counter jihadist threats after their withdrawal from ECOWAS.

However, the report notes that lingering diplomatic tensions—particularly between Niger and Benin, and Niger and Nigeria—have hindered coordinated action along the tri-border region, enabling jihadist expansion.

It called for a renewed emphasis on regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, and inclusive counterinsurgency strategies that address the socio-economic roots of extremism.

The findings add urgency to discussions about strengthening security collaboration among West African states, especially as jihadist movements continue to evolve and adapt to the region’s complex political and geographical landscape.

Jihadist Expansion Reshapes Border Areas of Niger, Nigeria and Benin – Report

Marwa Tasks NDLEA Officers to Remain Resolute in Fight Against Drug Scourge

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has charged officers and men of the agency to remain resolute and steadfast in the ongoing war against illicit drug trafficking and dealers.

Marwa gave the charge on Saturday while commissioning blocks of terrace flats accommodation newly constructed for personnel of the Zonal Command, Kano, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Command, and officers of the Strike Force Team of the agency deployed to Kano as well as a rehabilitation facility.

He said the commissioning stands as yet another testimony to President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of security personnel including NDLEA. “We are acutely aware that the effectiveness of our officers hinges not merely upon their training and tools, but also upon the quality of their living conditions. A secure and decent home front empowers the spirit, sharpens the mind, and steels the resolve of those tasked with the solemn duty of safeguarding our society from the scourge of illicit drugs”, he noted.

Marwa, while recalling that the first ever NDLEA barrack in its 35-year history was commissioned in Yola, Adamawa state in February, disclosed that the agency has just completed another barrack in Abuja, which is due for commissioning by President Bola Tinubu, adding that similar projects are at various stages of completion in Enugu and Lagos.

He justified the provision of decent accommodation for the agency’s workforce. “These structures we commission today are not mere edifices of brick and mortar; they are symbols of peace, assurance, and respect. They reflect the value we place on our officers and an affirmation of our enduring pledge to uplift their standard of living. The challenges we face in this noble task are immense. The war against drug abuse and trafficking is not for the faint-hearted—it demands unyielding courage, iron discipline, and a resolute sense of purpose. With improved living conditions, our officers are fortified—physically, mentally, and emotionally—to bear the burden of this vital mission.”

He acknowledged the sacrifices being made daily by NDLEA officers to rid the country of illicit drugs and urged them to continue to stand up to the challenge of the drug menace. “I wish to sincerely acknowledge and commend the dedication and hard work of all NDLEA officers serving in Kano. The records of arrests, seizures, and convictions over the past twelve months—both in quantity and quality—have been impressive.

He said as a state with an international border and an international airport, the importance of securing Kano against drug trafficking cannot be overstated. “Therefore, NDLEA officers in this territory must continue to rise to the challenge. While we applaud the performance so far, we also look forward to even greater results in the future.”

He urged personnel who will inhabit the buildings to treat the facilities with care and discipline, adding that the commissioning is a notable milestone in the determined march toward a more resilient, people-focused, and mission-driven NDLEA. “Let us, together, continue to build an institution that stands for excellence, inspires loyalty, and never ceases to support its personnel.”

The NDLEA boss thanked President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast support for the agency. “Our gratitude equally extends to the many stakeholders who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in the pursuit of our constitutional mandate”, he added.
He seized the opportunity to decorate the Zonal Commander, Zone 5 Command of the Agency, Maryam Gambo Sani with her new rank of Deputy Commander General of Narcotics, DCGN.

Marwa Tasks NDLEA Officers to Remain Resolute in Fight Against Drug Scourge

RE: MISCHIEVOUS REPORT ON ACCESS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA BY VICE PRESIDENT KASHIM SHETTIMA, GCON

By: Our Reporter

In recent times, there has been deliberate and well-planned orchestration of falsehood against the vice president’s person and office in many multidimensional forms. These mischievous and totally fabricated reports are all in a bid to cause confusion and insinuate total clash in the Presidency. These reports seek to mislead the public into believing there’s discord at the highest levels of government.

The latest in this string of disinformation is a report claiming that the Vice President has been refused entry to the Villa. This is a feeble attempt to traduce the person and office of His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON. For the record, NOTHING OF THE SORT EVER HAPPENED.

The recent publication by some obscure blogs alleging that armed military units have barricaded the Vice President from accessing the Presidential Villa is not only the wildest expression of wishful thinking but a clear indication that the purveyors of these tales have exhausted both ink and imagination. It is a story so far removed from reality that it can only be entertained by those unfamiliar with the inner workings of the Nigerian government.

Earlier this week, the Presidency dismissed similar fake news regarding responsibility for the circulation of campaign posters bearing the images of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. These stories reflect a desperate attempt to undermine the President and his Deputy’s fidelity to the rule of law and our constitution. Let it be known that those pushing these falsehoods do so in vain.

It is understandable, though regrettable, that the mischief-makers continue to underestimate the strength of the bond and goodwill between the President and the Vice President. However, their questionable sources or habitual reliance on misinformation have once again led them astray. These fairy tales they publish serve no purpose beyond mischief and distraction.

The Vice President remains focused on his duties and on supporting the President in achieving the aspirations of Nigerians. He does not have the luxury of time for distractions, particularly those born of the imagination of individuals intent on creating smoke where there is no fire. He’s not and will never partake in their media circus. It is a futile pursuit, even by the standards of the morally indifferent.

We commend Nigerians across all divides who continue to express goodwill towards this administration and who have taken it upon themselves to fight the spread of fake news. Your trust and support are deeply appreciated. The covenant between this government and the citizens of Nigeria was made possible through a legitimate and constitutional process. No amount of falsehood or manufactured tension can shake the foundation of that democratic mandate. Not under the watch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

We encourage the public to disregard such malicious publications and the media to continue seeking information from credible sources and to approach sensational claims with the caution they deserve. This we owe ourselves collectively as a nation.

RE: MISCHIEVOUS REPORT ON ACCESS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA BY VICE PRESIDENT KASHIM SHETTIMA, GCON