NIAMEY, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- A dozen "active accomplices of terrorists" have been apprehended, and a significant quantity of weapons have been seized through various operations across Niger, the country's military said Wednesday.
Among those arrested, three individuals are suspected of participating in the recent sabotage of the pipeline responsible for exporting Niger's crude oil at Mountseka, located in the Tahoua region, the military said in a news bulletin.
Operations carried out between Sunday and Wednesday resulted in the discovery of two improvised explosive devices, it added.
Niger is currently grappling with security challenges posed by terrorist organizations operating from neighboring countries, particularly Libya. The situation has worsened since 2011, when a NATO-led military operation toppled Muammar Gaddafi's regime, leaving a security vacuum that terrorist groups have exploited. ■
