Chad shuts border with Nigeria over U.S. military invasion threat
The Government of Chad has announced the immediate closure of its border with Nigeria, citing rising security concerns and intelligence reports pointing to alleged United States military activities in parts of West Africa.
Military sources in N’Djamena confirmed on Monday to Zagazola Makama, a counterterrorism expert on the Lake Chad that President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno ordered a complete lockdown along the Chadian-Nigerian border following intelligence suggesting that terrorist elements operating in northern Nigeria were preparing to flee into Chadian territory.
In response, the Chadian army has been placed on full alert, with heavily armed troops and armored vehicles deployed along key transit corridors connecting the two countries.
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A senior military officer, who spoke to Makama on condition of anonymity, said the directive was issued “to ensure that no armed group or foreign force takes advantage of the current regional uncertainty to destabilise Chad.”
Déby was quoted as saying that “no armed group or foreign force will be allowed to enter Chadian soil under any disguise,” stressing that the country’s territorial integrity remained non-negotiable.
The border closure comes amid mounting tension across the Sahel and growing speculation over alleged U.S. military plans in parts of West Africa.
The expert believe the Chadian government’s move is a proactive security measure to protect its sovereignty and prevent infiltration by armed groups seeking safe havens amid shifting alliances and power dynamics in the region.
He also note that Chad’s decision underscores the fragile state of regional cooperation on counterterrorism, as instability in one country often spills into its neighbours.
They warn that the border closure, while critical for national security, could disrupt legitimate cross-border trade and humanitarian movement, affecting communities that depend on transnational exchange for survival.
According to Makama, Chadian government has not indicated how long the closure will last but has pledged to review the situation as regional security conditions evolve.
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A top military source told BusinessDay that Chad has shut its border with Nigeria in response to the escalating tension triggered by Trump’s threat of military action.
Meanwhile, sources in Borno State, which shares a northeastern border with Chad, have debunked reports of the alleged border closure, stating that there is free movement across the Nigeria–Chad border communities.
As the reported U.S. military threat against Nigeria lingers, analysts have urged the Nigerian government to explore all diplomatic avenues in engaging the American government for a lasting solution to the activities of Islamist militants in the region.
