Nigeria expands military cooperation with Benin and Niger to counter Sahel jihadists

Nigeria’s defence minister, Christopher Musa, said the country is establishing a new joint security sector covering the borders with Benin and Niger to stem the flow of jihadist groups from the Sahel, including the Al‑Qaeda‑linked JNIM. The initiative, described as a “work in progress,” will give Nigerian forces freedom to operate across the three‑country area and is part of broader efforts to close security gaps as militants move from the northwest into the south‑west and other vulnerable regions.

Musa indicated plans to visit Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in the coming months, all ruled by military governments that have broken from ECOWAS. He stressed that, despite political differences, military coordination is essential to protect civilians and ensure that voters can safely cast ballots in the January presidential election, which could be threatened by insurgent activity.

The cooperation builds on recent joint actions, such as Beninese troops operating with Nigerian permission and anti‑jihadist militias from Benin working on Nigerian soil. Analysts note that illegal mining and forest reserves are being exploited by militants, further complicating the security landscape.