Niger: Authorities capture armed gang leader wanted by Nigeria
On Wednesday, Nigerien authorities announced the arrest of an armed gang leader. This Nigerian national and his 65 associates are accused of kidnappings and civilian murders in the southern part of the country near the Nigerian border.
Issoufou Mamane, the governor of Maradi, revealed during a press conference that the arrest was made possible after several days of surveillance by Niger’s counter-terrorism operation.
Among those apprehended was Kachalla Baleri, a native of Zamfara State in Nigeria, who is ranked 40th on the Nigerian army’s most-wanted list.
The group was caught in the act of planning attacks against defense and security forces. Local television broadcast images showing the men with their faces covered, handcuffed, and sitting on the ground.
Baleri is accused of participating in a February attack that killed four soldiers during a counter-terrorism operation.
He is also suspected of involvement in several other attacks in Nigeria. Adam Adamou, the public prosecutor at the Maradi High Court, described the gang members as «rapists, thieves, cattle rustlers, and ruthless killers», announcing the launch of an investigation.
This arrest follows the early May apprehension of Bello Kachalla Maïdagi, another Nigerian suspected of murders and kidnappings in the Tahoua region.
For several years, the border between Niger and Nigeria has been a hotspot for criminal activities, including murders, kidnappings, and cattle rustling.
Both countries have conducted joint operations to combat these crimes, although Governor Mamane accuses Nigeria of withdrawing its security forces from the border area, thus allowing armed groups to thrive.
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Fayçal BADIE
