N’Djamena, Chad: Chad’s military intelligence service said on Friday that it had detained over 80 individuals, thwarting “insurrectional operations” posing a threat to state security.
The General Directorate of Military Intelligence (DGRM) said in a statement that the disruption of a well-organized faction within the M3M movement aiming to undermine the state’s security.
According to the statement, the group members were arrested on January 12, a day before their planned “insurrectional operations.” While the statement did not provide explicit details about these operations, it did reveal an unconventional aspect, stating that, unable to proceed with firearms, the individuals turned to occult practices involving three witch doctors.
These spiritual advisors allegedly instructed them to conduct sacrifices, including burning chicks, goats, sheep, and ultimately a man.
The DGRM further disclosed the discovery of a decapitated head in a bag at the residence of the M3M president, a hitherto unknown group where the leader holds the rank of “lieutenant.” The military provided some Chadian media outlets with video footage depicting a DGRM general addressing a group of detained men.
Chad, under the leadership of General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno since April 2021, has faced political shifts following the death of his father, who governed the nation for three decades.
Initially pledging to restore civilian rule through elections within 18 months, the junta, led by the 37-year-old son and comprising 15 generals, extended this period by an additional two years.
The upcoming presidential and legislative elections are now anticipated to occur before the end of October, with Mahamat Deby nominated as the presidential candidate by his father’s Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS).
