Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Sector 4 have reportedly intercepted a shipment of weapons destined to be delivered to Bakura, a Boko Haram factional leader in the Lake Chad region.

An intelligence and security counterinsurgency group with a special interest in Lake Chad and North East Nigeria, known as Phantom Eye Hub, which disclosed this in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), revealed that the shipment was intercepted in Niger through what it described as a major intelligence operation.

According to the intelligence group, the operation which took place over the weekend, was carried out in the northern part of Nguigmi, near the Niger Republic and Chad border.

The seized weapons which include 6 AK-47 assault rifles, 11 magazines, and 50 rounds of ammunition, were originated in Libya, transported through an arms courier network.

“In a major intelligence operation over the weekend, troops of Sector 4 MNJTF in Niger intercepted a significant shipment of weapons destined for Bakura, a Boko Haram factional leader in the Lake Chad region.

“The successful operation, carried out in the northern part of Nguigmi, near the Niger and Chad border, prevented a potentially deadly influx of weaponry into the hands of the terrorists.

“The seized weapons include 6 AK-47 assault rifles, 11 magazines, and 50 rounds of ammunition.

“A counter intelligence expert revealed that the intercepted weapons originated in Libya and were transported through an arms courier network.

“This finding points to a wider web of illicit arms trafficking potentially fueling instability,” a statement released by Phantom Eye Hub said.