Crime
Nigerien Troops Arrest Wanted Azawad Militant Leader, Inkinane Ag Attaher, at Border
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
Troops Arrest Suspected Security Impersonator In Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, Operation Enduring Peace operating in Plateau State, have arrested a suspected security impersonator during a patrol in Jos South Local Government Area.
Security sources disclosed that the suspect was apprehended at about 11:30 a.m. on Sunday at Latya community during a routine patrol operation.
Items recovered from the suspect included a Keystone identification card bearing the ldetails “AP/No 190470 SP Aodona Lorpuu,” an NSCDC identification tag, a vehicle plate number and other personal effects.
The sources said the suspect was unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the recovered items during preliminary questioning.
The suspect and the recovered exhibits were subsequently handed over to Keystone B Division, Bukuru, for further investigation and necessary action.
Security agencies have continued to warn against impersonation of military and security personnel, describing the act as a threat to public safety and national security.
Troops Arrest Suspected Security Impersonator In Plateau
Troops intercept 197 Cattle After Road Blockade In Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace have intercepted 197 cattle after suspected herders allegedly blocked a major road in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the troops responded at about 4:45 p.m. on Sunday following reports that herders and their cattle had obstructed the Tasheek–Makera road axis.l
The sources said that upon arrival at the scene, the herders abandoned the cattle and fled into nearby areas.
Troops subsequently recovered a total of 197 cattle and moved them to a safe location pending further necessary action.
Security officials said the swift intervention prevented possible disruption of movement and tension within the community.
They added that efforts were ongoing to identify and trace the owners of the cattle, while warning against acts capable of causing public disorder or undermining peaceful coexistence in the area.
Troops intercept 197 Cattle After Road Blockade In Plateau
Troops Foil Attempted Motorcycle Snatching In Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Sub-Sector 81, Operation Enduring Peace have foiled an attempted motorcycle snatching incident in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources disclosed that the incident occurred at about 10 a.m. on Sunday near Community Secondary School, Doss, when a suspected criminal allegedly attempted to snatch a motorcycle from a commercial rider identified as Rabiu Abubakar.
The sources said troops stationed at Gyambwas swiftly responded to distress information and mobilised to the scene.
On arrival, the troops discovered that the commercial rider had resisted the attacker and fled the area for safety.
However, a passenger abandoned at the scene by the fleeing rider sustained injuries during the incident.
The suspect reportedly escaped on sighting the troops before he could be apprehended.
The injured passenger was rescued by the troops and taken to a hospital for medical attention.
The troops said efforts were ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspect.
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