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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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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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Troops recover another bodies of four herders, targeted and killed by Kaduna

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Troops recover another bodies of four herders, targeted and killed by Kaduna

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have recovered the bodies of four herders allegedly killed by local youths in a reprisal attack in Kamantan Chiefdom, Kaduna State.

Security sources said the incident followed a kidnapping episode at Zuturuntinta village, where the herders were reported missing.

The sources disclosed that troops received intelligence on April 4 indicating that the victims were attacked and killed while relocating with their cattle to a safer location on the same night of the incident.

“They were reportedly intercepted and attacked by some angry youths, allegedly in retaliation for the death of a local during the kidnapping incident,” the source said.

Following the report, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah in the area requested military assistance to mobilise the community for a search operation to locate the missing herders.

Troops were immediately deployed to the village, where they convened a meeting with community members, including the village head.

The village head was said to have provided local hunters and members of the Kaduna Vigilante Service (KADVS) to support the search alongside troops and Fulani representatives.

During the operation, troops identified multiple indicators suggesting the herders had been killed.

“Following blood trails, troops discovered a shallow grave where the four victims were buried,” the source added.

Items recovered at the scene included two mobile phones.

The remains of the victims were reburied at the same location in accordance with Islamic rites, with the consent of their families and Fulani community leaders.

The Sector Commander has directed community leaders to produce those responsible for the killings not later than Wednesday to face justice and help restore peace in the area.

Troops have since been deployed to reinforce security and prevent possible reprisal attacks.

Troops recover another bodies of four herders, targeted and killed by Kaduna

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