Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - At least 44 people were killed and 13 injured in a “deliberate strike against civilians” on Friday in southwestern Niger, Interior Minister Mohamed Toumba said on state television.
The assault in the village of Fonbita in the rural commune of Kokorou
happened when militants identified as members of the Islamic State in the
Greater Sahara (ISGS) stormed a mosque, targeting worshippers.
Toumba said the attack left four of the 13 who were wounded in critical
condition. The ministry condemned the assault as a "cowardly and inhumane
act" and vowed to intensify efforts to combat terrorism in the region.
The Nigerien government declared 72 hours of national mourning beginning
Saturday to honor the victims. Flags will fly at half-mast across the country,
and public events are expected to be subdued as the nation grieves.
The southwestern region of Niger, particularly areas near the borders
with Mali and Burkina Faso, has seen a surge in violence in recent years, with
groups like the ISGS exploiting instability to carry out deadly raids on
villages and security forces. The attack underscores the security challenges
facing the Sahel nation, despite efforts by the government and international
partners to curb the insurgency.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, though the Interior
Ministry’s attribution to ISGS aligns because of the group’s known presence in
the region. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation and a robust
response to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The latest killings add to a growing toll of civilian casualties in
Niger, where communities remain vulnerable to the persistent threat of
extremist violence.
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