Four Nigerien soldiers were killed and two wounded in a dawn raid by dozens of armed assailants near the border with Nigeria, state television reported Friday. The attack, described as “unprecedented” for the area, raises concerns about rising insecurity in the region.
According to local officials, around 100 gunmen on motorbikes stormed a gendarme outpost in the village of Bassira, Maradi region. A fierce shootout ensued for over an hour before the Nigerien forces (FDS) pushed back the attackers. While the assailants managed to escape with their dead and wounded, they abandoned three motorbikes, communications equipment, and ammunition.
A stray bullet from the exchange also injured a civilian woman. Governor of Maradi region, Issoufou Mamane, condemned the attack as “cowardly and barbaric,” vowing it wouldn’t go unpunished. He emphasized that the assailants were not mere “cattle rustlers,” but a more organized and dangerous threat.
The Maradi region already hosts over 46,000 Nigerian refugees fleeing violence perpetrated by armed gangs operating near the border. These “bandits,” as they are often referred to, operate from dense forests and have plagued the region for years.
Despite joint operations by Nigerien and Nigerian forces to curb their activities, the bandits continue to pose a significant security challenge. The region also grapples with threats from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents, highlighting the complex security landscape in the area.
The attack on the gendarme outpost serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security concerns in Niger and the need for sustained efforts to address the root causes of violence and instability in the region.
