A joint border security talks has been held following Saturday’s clash between Nigerien soldiers and the Joint Nigerien security forces in Mazanya, a border community in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed yesterday.
In a statement, the Director, Defence Media Operation, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said the meeting aimed at consolidating liaison arrangements between Nigerian and Nigerien security forces and preventing similar occurrences in the future.
According to him, the parley was in line with the commitment of the Nigerian military to maintain peaceful and cooperative relations with neighboring countries, reports The Nation.
There were reports at the weekend about a diplomatic breach by Nigerien soldiers, who entered Nigerian territory unauthorised, causing panic of a possible terrorist invasion and subsequent confrontation by Joint Nigerian Security Forces, including the troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, police, DSS, and Civilian Joint Task Force.
Maj.-Gen Onoja explained that a convoy, consisting of four gun trucks and one Toyota Jeep carrying Nigerien military officers and soldiers, entered the Mazanya community to fetch water, “a routine activity historically conducted by troops from the Niger Republic.”
The statement reads: “The unusually large size of the convoy raised concern among local vigilante members in the community, who mistakenly perceived the movement as a potential hostile advance.
“This misunderstanding led to the vigilantes opening fire on the Nigerien troops.
“Following dialogue between Nigerian security authorities and the Nigerien commander on the ground, the Nigerien troops proceeded to fetch the required water as intended and returned to their side of the border without further incident.
