Nigerien Forces Neutralise 43 Militants in Nationwide Counter-Terror Operations

TOPSHOT - Nigerien soldiers stand guard as supporters of Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) gather for a demonstration in Niamey on August 11, 2023 near a French airbase in Niger. Thousands of supporters of Niger's coup leaders gathered on August 11, 2023 near a French military base on the outskirts of the capital Niamey. Protesters shouted "down with France, down with ECOWAS", a reference to the West African bloc which on Thursday approved deployment of a "standby force to restore constitutional order" in Niger. (Photo by AFP)

The Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS) have announced that 43 terrorists were “neutralised” and 28 suspected members and accomplices of armed extremist groups arrested between February 9 and 15.

According to a weekly operational Bulletin broadcast on Wednesday by national television channel Télé-Sahel, the results were achieved through targeted ground offensives backed by coordinated airstrikes across various parts of the country.

The FDS reported the seizure of a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition during the operations. Security forces also confiscated significant logistical supplies, including 5,452 sticks of dynamite, 68 rolls of detonating cord and 68,000 litres of smuggled fuel.

Authorities further intercepted hundreds of thousands of tablets described as harmful substances destined for criminal networks.

In addition, five improvised explosive devices were discovered and safely neutralised. The operations form part of Niger’s ongoing efforts to counter armed militant activity and disrupt supply chains supporting extremist and criminal groups.

About Geraldine Boechat 3539 Articles
Senior Editor for Medafrica Times and former journalist for Swiss National Television. former NGO team leader in Burundi and Somalia