At least seven people were killed in a terrorist attack in the Niger region of Tillabéri, in the country’s northwestern corner near the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali. The region has long faced violence by jihadist groups that have targeted civilians and security forces, creating a climate of fear for residents and travelers alike.
The Nigerien Army reported in a weekly bulletin shared on its official Facebook profile that the assault occurred when militants on motorcycles struck a village about thirteen kilometers northwest of Kokorou. The assailants also stole livestock during the attack. The military expressed its condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and stated that operations were underway to locate and neutralize the perpetrators as part of ongoing security efforts to protect people in the area.
Earlier in the week, patrols near the town of Dargol, southeast of Kokorou, resulted in the neutralization of thirteen terrorists and the detention of twenty-nine suspects. In the nearby area of Abala, authorities reported a rise in cattle thefts and some terrorist incursions, underscoring the persistent threat in the region and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation with security forces.
To the north, in Assamakka, a key border crossing with Algeria, Nigerien security forces apprehended four foreign nationals aboard two vehicles. They were suspected of transporting explosives and detonators, highlighting the ongoing cross-border security challenges and the urgency of rigorous screening and intelligence-sharing along major transit routes.
The spokesperson outlined several military operations conducted between Sunday and Wednesday, emphasizing their role within a broader objective to shield Niger and its inhabitants from violence. He urged citizens to cooperate with authorities in any form of threat to strengthen national security and preserve social stability. He also reiterated that reintegration measures exist for individuals who choose to abandon terrorist activity and help build peaceful, secure communities. Those who choose to step away from violence would receive support to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into their communities in a safe and supportive environment, he added.
The Tillabéri region, where branches linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Sahel operate, has experienced rising insecurity over the past years. Attacks against military personnel and civilians have become more frequent, a trend that is compounded by national political turmoil following the coup of July 26, 2023. Niger also confronts the threat posed by Boko Haram and its Islamic State affiliate, ISWA, in the Diffa region along the Lake Chad basin. Both groups continue to carry out strikes in neighboring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, underscoring the transnational dimension of the security challenge in this part of Africa.