A village in western Niger near the Mali border witnessed a tragic attack, resulting in the loss of 22 lives, according to local sources reported by AFP on Monday.
Suspected jihadists were responsible for the assault on Motogatta in the expansive Tillaberi region, an area long plagued by the activities of jihadist groups.
The unfortunate toll includes individuals, including members of local self-defense militias, as confirmed by a statement from a local elected official. The assailants, arriving on motorbikes, initiated the attack around 4 pm, indiscriminately shooting and claiming lives on the spot.
Niger has been grappling with two distinct jihadist insurgencies, one emanating from the southeast due to the spillage of conflict from neighboring Nigeria and the other in the west involving militants crossing over from Mali and Burkina Faso.
The security situation has been a significant concern, leading to the overthrow of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26 by military leaders who cited the deteriorating conditions as justification.
The coup, aimed at addressing the security challenges, took place against the backdrop of an increasingly precarious environment.
However, on December 17, coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani asserted that the security situation was showing signs of improvement, attributing it to the army’s “multiple successes” in quelling unrest. Despite these claims, the recent attack underscores the persistent threat and challenges faced by the region.
