Niger’s Minister of National Defence, Salifou Mody, has described the national security situation as “calm” and “under control,” despite acknowledging that the country remains effectively at war.
Speaking in an interview with public broadcaster RTN on April 18, 2026, he revealed that around 23,000 troops are deployed daily across the country to secure the territory.
He explained that since Niger reclaimed its “security sovereignty,” authorities have implemented reforms centered on decentralizing operational command, increasing autonomy for field commanders, and integrating volunteer civilian auxiliaries.
However, he noted that the vast size of the country—home to about 32,000 administrative villages—makes it impossible for security forces to cover every location, allowing attackers to exploit logistical gaps.
The minister also pointed to internal complicity in recent attacks, including incidents targeting Niamey airport and the Tahoua airbase, stating that such operations could not occur without local support.
He emphasized that Niger has entered a prolonged conflict phase since asserting full control over its defence, citing external pressures such as sanctions, media campaigns and geopolitical tensions.
Mody reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening military capacity, including developing a domestic defence industry and sourcing equipment from willing international partners after some suppliers reportedly failed to deliver.
He also paid tribute to fallen soldiers and called for national recognition of their sacrifice, while urging citizens to support ongoing security efforts.
