At least 44 officers of Niger Republic’s defence and
security forces (FDS) were killed in a deadly ambush by suspected jihadist
militants during a river patrol operation in the Dosso Region.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on
the Lake Chad region, reported the attack late Tuesday.
Citing security sources, Zagazola said the attack — which
targeted a military unit patrolling the River Niger around the Falmey area, near
the country’s border with Benin Republic — happened on Monday.
According to preliminary reports, the patrol unit, made up
of 71 personnel, was ambushed by fighters believed to be linked to the Jama’at
Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-affiliated group active in the
Sahel.
Among the casualties was the unit commander, who is presumed
dead.
Several bodies are still missing in the river.
The report said 27 soldiers were rescued, including several
who sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.
Authorities have launched a search-and-recovery operation in
the Falmey area, while reinforcing security across vulnerable sectors in Dosso
and surrounding regions.
The Nigerien government is yet to issue an official
statement, but Zagazola said its sources indicated that high-level security
consultations are ongoing in Niamey.
The ambush marks one of the deadliest single-day losses for
the Nigerien military in recent months.
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wahala no come too much like this.. RIP to the soldiers
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