Chad has announced the immediate closure of its border with Nigeria, citing heightened security threats and suspected militant activities spreading across the Sahel region.
Military officials in N’Djamena confirmed on Monday that President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno ordered the shutdown after intelligence indicated that armed groups from northern Nigeria were planning to infiltrate Chadian territory.
Security sources said the decision followed intelligence intercepts suggesting cross-border movements by extremist networks seeking to exploit instability in the Lake Chad basin.
According to Zagazola Makama, a regional security analyst, Chadian troops and armored vehicles have been deployed along critical border corridors, with surveillance operations intensified. “All units are now at full readiness,” Makama said, noting that Chad’s security posture reflects deep concern over recent developments in the region.
President Déby, in a statement, warned that “no armed group or foreign force will be allowed to enter Chadian soil under any disguise,” underscoring his government’s resolve to protect national sovereignty amid rising uncertainty in the Sahel.
The closure comes amid global attention on West Africa after U.S. President Donald Trump warned of potential military action in Nigeria, accusing the government of allowing the killing of Christians by Islamist militants. His comments, which triggered sharp diplomatic reactions, have fueled speculation about possible foreign military maneuvers in the region.
While Washington has not confirmed any deployment plans, regional observers say the rhetoric has heightened fears of external interference and contributed to Chad’s decision to tighten its borders. “N’Djamena is acting on both intelligence and perception — trying to shield itself from any spillover effect of rising geopolitical tension,” said a senior counterterrorism official.
Chad, which shares long and porous borders with Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon, has been a key frontline state in regional counterterrorism efforts. The government’s decision is expected to disrupt trade and humanitarian movement between Borno State and western Chad, where cross-border commerce sustains thousands of livelihoods.
Analysts warn that the closure could worsen food insecurity and humanitarian hardship for displaced communities already affected by climate change and armed conflict. “Border controls in the Sahel often hurt the poorest first,” said a researcher with the West Africa Policy Centre.
For now, Chad says the border will remain closed “until further notice,” pending a full security assessment.
