The government of Chad has reportedly closed its border with Nigeria following rising tensions triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of possible military intervention in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
Security and counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama disclosed in a post on X that the Chadian authorities moved swiftly to secure the border after receiving intelligence suggesting that terrorist elements from northern Nigeria were attempting to flee into Chadian territory.
According to military sources in N’Djamena, President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno ordered a complete military lockdown along the border on Monday. Troops and armoured vehicles have reportedly been deployed across key corridors linking both countries.
“President Déby has made it clear that no armed group or foreign force will be allowed to enter Chadian soil under any disguise,” a senior military source was quoted as saying.
The decision follows Trump’s remarks last Friday, October 31, in which he claimed there were ongoing “Christian genocides” in Nigeria. The U.S. president also redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Interest” under Washington’s religious freedom watchlist — a move that has drawn global attention and diplomatic unease.
Security experts say Chad’s border closure is a preventive step aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty and averting the infiltration of militants or foreign troops that might exploit the tense situation in the region.
“This is a classic defensive move by N’Djamena,” said one analyst. “Given Chad’s proximity to Nigeria’s insurgency zones and its delicate political balance, the government wants to avoid being dragged into any confrontation.”
The border closure adds to growing anxiety across West and Central Africa following Trump’s threats and heightened speculation about possible U.S. military operations in the Sahel region.
Neither the Chadian government nor the Nigerian authorities have officially commented on the reported development as of press time.
