The Chadian government has announced the immediate closure of its border with Nigeria, citing urgent national security concerns amid growing tension over alleged U.S. military movements in West Africa.
According to reliable military sources in N’Djamena, President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno ordered a total lockdown along the Nigerian frontier following intelligence reports that extremist elements from northern Nigeria were planning to cross into Chadian territory.
The report triggered a swift military response, with troops and armoured vehicles now stationed across strategic checkpoints linking both nations.
A senior Chadian defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the move as a “necessary safeguard against external threats.”
“The president has made it clear that no armed group or foreign force will be allowed to enter Chad, regardless of the disguise,” the officer said, adding that the army remains “fully mobilised” to defend the country’s borders.
AFRIPOST reports that the decision marks one of Chad’s most decisive security actions in recent months, coming at a time of regional unease following reports of possible U.S. military repositioning in West Africa after its withdrawal from Niger.
Meanwhile, security experts believe Chad’s action is primarily preventive, designed to shield its territory from potential infiltration as regional alliances and operations continue to shift.
Dr Karim Doumara, a N’Djamena-based security analyst said, “a calculated move to preserve national sovereignty amid growing uncertainty.”
“Chad has long been a key player in counterterrorism efforts across the Sahel. The government cannot afford to let instability spill over from its neighbours,” Doumara explained.
The border closure is expected to disrupt trade and movement between the two countries temporarily, but officials insist it will remain in place until intelligence assessments confirm reduced security risks.
Observers also disclosed that the development reflects the widening regional anxiety over new military dynamics in West Africa and the fear that militant networks could exploit the current uncertainty to expand their operations.