According to Vanguard News, Nigeria is expanding security cooperation with Benin Republic and Niger to curb the southward movement of jihadist groups from the Sahel, Defence Minister Christopher Musa said on Thursday.
Speaking to AFP in Abuja, Musa announced plans for a new joint military sector covering the Nigeria-Benin-Niger border. “JNIM is trying to use Burkina Faso and Benin Republic as a route into Nigeria. We are setting up that sector to allow cross-border operations in those areas,” he said, describing the initiative as a work in progress.
Musa also revealed plans to visit Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, despite political differences following the three countries’ exit from ECOWAS. “Politically there are issues, but militarily we have moved past that with Niger,” he said.
The minister warned that jihadist activity is spreading beyond Nigeria’s northeast, linking it to ungoverned forests and illegal mining used to finance insurgent groups. He confirmed that U.S. forces have carried out strikes against Islamic State Sahel Province in northwestern Nigeria and said Nigerian and Beninese forces have conducted cross-border operations with prior approval.
Musa added that the military is working to secure polling areas ahead of January’s presidential election to ensure voting can take place safely, including in conflict-affected regions.
