This week, security and intelligence services in Niamey discovered a significant arsenal of war weapons in a villa and in the premises of the European Union civilian crisis management mission in Mali known as Eucap Sahel. The images, aired on the public television channel RTN on February 22, show what appears to be caches of war-grade weapons in a villa in the Francophonie extension, Tchangarey district, previously occupied by French military instructors, and at the headquarters of the EUCAP SAHEL mission.
The search operations were conducted on February 19 and 20, leading to the revelation of what authorities claim to be an arsenal intended for destabilizing the country. The discovered items include various military equipment, assault weapons, explosives, large-caliber cartridges, satellite communication devices, maps detailing strategic points in the country and capital, as well as other equipment, with Nigeri hinting on the finding indicating the intentions of the owners.
This discovery follows a similar one on February 7 in Tesker, Zinder region, where Forces of Defense and Security (FDS) uncovered a stock of military equipment, including 20 anti-tank mines and a complete portable system of surface-to-air missiles. The authorities allege that these materials belong to individuals close to the former regime, aiming to destabilize Niger.
The Niger junta has accused France and former regime officials of attempting to destabilize the country. Despite the departure of French soldiers and Niamey's exit from the Eucap Sahel Niger agreement, security services have expanded their scope, looking for any sign of covert operations. Several individuals, including former regime dignitaries, have been detained or are wanted for "treason and conspiracy against the state." Additionally, associates of the former president were arrested following the alleged "escape attempt" by the former president Bazoum, announced by authorities in October last year.