Shehu Sani Blames Rising Terrorism on Russia–Sahel Security Pact

Former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, has attributed the recent surge in terrorist activities in Nigeria to the security agreement between Russia and some Sahelian states.

Sani made the assertion in a post on his verified X handle on Sunday, linking the influx of terrorists into Nigeria to ongoing security cooperation between Russia and the Sahelian countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic.

InfoStride News reports that Nigeria has experienced a spike in insecurity in recent months, marked by a wave of abductions across different parts of the country.

Victims of the attacks include women and schoolchildren, with some reportedly killed during the incidents.

Reacting to the development, the former senator said the commencement of joint security operations between Russia and the Sahelian states had forced terrorists operating in those countries to relocate their bases to Nigeria.

“Since the security agreement and operation between Russia and the Sahelian states of Burkina, Mali and Niger Republic commenced, more terrorists from those countries forcefully relocated their bases to Nigeria,” Sani said.

He urged Nigerian authorities to take decisive action against the influx, stressing that terrorists should be denied any breathing space in the country “by all means necessary.”