Intelligence agencies in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have intensified coordinated operations aimed at exposing alleged Nigerian sponsors of insecurity in the Sahel, a move that could send shockwaves through Nigeria’s political class.
The development was first reported by DW Hausa and later translated by counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama, who cited credible sources claiming that some senior Nigerian politicians may be secretly aiding militant networks.
According to the reports and Zagazola’s translation, the agencies say they already have a list of implicated officials and have arrested individuals involved in supplying weapons to armed groups.
“The AES agencies have arrested gunrunners crossing into Nigeria who have links to these kingpins. The scale of their arms transactions is alarming,” a security source told Zagazola Makama.
The coordinated efforts reflect deeper cooperation within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which has stepped up intelligence sharing and cross-border operations against jihadist groups, Boko Haram affiliates, and bandit networks.
By targeting alleged political collaborators believed to be financing and facilitating arms flows across the Nigeria–Niger border, the AES states are seeking to cut off critical support networks that fuel violence across the region.
Analysts suggest this could also trigger domestic investigations in Nigeria and strain diplomatic relations.
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Reports indicate that some politicians, under the guise of peace negotiations with armed groups, may have diverted large sums of state funds to militant leaders operating along the Nigeria–Niger border.
The revelation echoes a warning last month by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa, who said in a televised interview that the identities of terrorism supporters would eventually be exposed.
When asked why those funding terrorism have not yet been named, he explained, “I think the process is on. It has to do with a lot of legal issues, and because again, it has to do with international connections. Some of them have funds coming from outside; we cannot do anything from within.”
According to Zagazola Makama, such funds were allegedly used to acquire high-caliber weapons through proxies, with hard currency fueling a cross-border arms trade. Several suspected gunrunners linked to this network have been intercepted by AES operatives and are under interrogation.
“The AES agencies have arrested gunrunners crossing into Nigeria who have links to these kingpins. The scale of their arms transactions is alarming,” a security source reiterated.
These developments come as Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali deepen their campaign against jihadist groups, including ISIS affiliates and Boko Haram, following years of devastating attacks on civilians, security forces, schools, and foreign workers. Thousands have been killed and millions displaced across the region.
The AES leadership has repeatedly accused ECOWAS of neglecting their counterinsurgency struggles, citing sanctions and diplomatic isolation imposed after military takeovers.
Earlier this year, the three countries formally withdrew from ECOWAS, turning instead to strengthen their own military and intelligence ties.
By pooling resources, sharing intelligence, and launching joint operations, AES states argue they are better positioned to confront the terror networks destabilizing the Sahel and spilling into Nigeria’s northwest.
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Image Credit: Kuna
