The seizure, made by customs services, involved 602 motorcycles transported by 62 trucks.
The motorcycles, which had circumvented legal import procedures, were seized from a port on the Gulf of Guinea. Brigadier General Mohamed Toumba, the Minister of State for the Interior, Public Security, and Territorial Administration, visited the customs office to inspect the seizure and thank the security forces for their work.
Toumba stated that the motorcycles were intended to bolster the capabilities of terrorist groups and destabilize the Nigerien population. He highlighted the potential for these vehicles to transport a large number of people, emphasizing the importance of motorcycles to jihadist groups in the Sahel region.
In response to this threat, the minister called for increased vigilance from security forces, particularly at the country’s borders. He also emphasized the importance of cooperation between security forces and the population, urging citizens to report suspicious activity.
The seizure comes amid deteriorating security in Niger, with increased attacks by jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The recent attack in Samira, which resulted in the deaths of seven Nigerien soldiers, is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat. The minister called for national unity in the face of this challenge, emphasizing that the fight against terrorism is a collective responsibility.
AC/fss/abj/APA