Citing increased security concerns and intelligence indications of potential extremist infiltration from Northern Nigeria, the Chadian government allegedly declared an emergency shutdown of its border with Nigeria.
Following concerns that armed groups were preparing to enter Chad, President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno ordered a military lockdown on the Nigerian border, according to military sources in N’Djamena on Monday.
In order to prevent infiltration, Chadian forces have been stationed along important border corridors, supported by armored vehicles and aerial reconnaissance teams, according to regional security analyst Zagazola Makama.
“All units are now at full readiness, and Chadian troops and armored vehicles have been deployed to critical routes from Nigeria,” Makama stated.
“No armed group or foreign force will be allowed to enter Chadian soil under any disguise,” according to a quote from President Déby.
Rumors about the Movement of US Forces Increase Tension
According to reports, the border closure comes as tensions in West Africa and the Sahel are rising due to reports of American military deployments in the area.
Although Washington has not released an official announcement, rumors that the United States may have repositioned troops in some areas of West Africa have caused diplomatic concerns and security reactions from a number of regional states.
Chad’s border closure was seen by security experts as a precautionary action intended to shield its territory from any regional instability spillovers.
Chad’s most recent move coincides with increased terrorist activity throughout the Lake Chad Basin nations and changing alliances as a result of military takeovers in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger.
Movement between the two nations has been temporarily halted due to the closure of the Nigerian border.
Cross-border commerce and transportation companies have been urged to wait for more instructions from the Chadian government.
