Niger’s Department of State Services (DSS), in continuance of the action against terrorism, launched a prominent offensive on AK-47-wielding bandits on motorcycles threatening and looting stores in Rafi Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, slaying many of them and grabbing their stock of guns. This is the second main step by the DSS against robbers terrorising citizens of the state, having offset three bandits in Dogon Dawa, Mairiga LGA of the state.
DSS investigators arrested infamous bandits terrorising regions of the Northeast and Northwest. The bandits in Niger State, who had recently struck Uregi Village in Rafi LGA, assembled for a conference when DSS operatives, who had kept them under watch, undertook the attack. Three DSS detectives were wounded during the attack. The security source linked what he said was the improved security witnessed at Yuletide to several covert operations by the DSS, especially in the Southeast.
As reported by sources, the new DSS administration improved synergy and boosted intelligence communication with the military and other protection agencies has helped to enhance the security status across the land. This has resulted in a decrease in criminal activities and improved safety of the public. The new DSS administration is credited with creating a more secure environment for citizens.
Moreover, the DSS pinpointed several IPOB and their ESN (Eastern Security Network) centres in many parts of the southeast states. Cooperating with the DSS, security forces surgically dealt with IPOB and ESN chiefs who were terrorising locals of the Southeast. With the DSS, they were capable of alleviating IPOB/ESN forts in Orsu, Oru East, Oru West and Orlu LGA in Imo State, where many AK47 weapons and IED-making contents and shrines were eliminated.
Over the years, Terrorist outfits manipulated Niger’s extensive borders and sparsely populated areas to attack and recruit residents where access to management services was inadequate and economic opportunity insignificant. Niger’s measures to fight terrorism were hindered by the small scope of its defence force, inadequate coordination among security services, funding shortfalls, and fluctuation in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Libya, Mali and the Lake Chad Basin.
Backed by the U.S. Department of State, Niger’s Demobilization, Disarmament, Reintegration, and Reconciliation (DDRR) initiative facilitated the screening of defectors from violent extremist organisations through the National Police’s Central Service for the Fight Against Terrorism. In 2023, around 267 people voluntarily quit terrorist groups and partook in reintegration movements under the DDRR mechanism in the Diffa and Tillabéri areas.
Furthermore, Niger utilises border security procedures via the Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire, a bureau within the national police tasked with travel documents, identification certifications, and border protection. U.S. Department of State Antiterrorism Assistance programs supplied equipment, activity, and mentorship for National Guard and Gendarmerie border security procedures and urban crisis comeback. This assistance has helped to improve Niger’s border security, allowing it to better protect against potential threats. The assistance has also enabled Niger to better respond to emergencies.
