Gunmen on motorbikes massacred 22 villagers in western Niger’s Tillaberi region on Monday, with most victims attending a baptism ceremony, according to local media and sources.
The attack, linked to jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, occurred near the borders of Burkina Faso and Mali, a volatile area plagued by insurgent violence.A local resident, speaking anonymously to AFP for safety reasons, reported that 15 people were killed during the baptism in Takoubatt village, followed by seven others on the village outskirts.
Local outlet Elmaestro TV described the attack as a “gruesome death toll of 22 innocent people cowardly killed without reason or justification,” highlighting the brutality of the assault.
Nigerien human rights campaigner Maikoul Zodi condemned the violence on social media, stating, “Once again, the Tillaberi region… has been struck by barbarism, plunging innocent families into mourning and despair.”
The attack follows a pattern of escalating violence in the region, where Niger’s military junta, in power since a 2023 coup, has struggled to curb jihadist activities despite a significant military presence.
Just last week, around 20 soldiers were killed in the same region.Human Rights Watch has called on Niger’s authorities to “do more to protect” civilians, noting that the Islamic State group has “summarily executed” over 127 villagers and worshippers in Tillaberi since March.
The conflict monitoring NGO ACLED reports approximately 1,800 deaths in Niger since October 2024, with three-quarters occurring in Tillaberi.
The junta-led governments of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, all of which have expelled French and American forces previously aiding anti-jihadist efforts, face mounting challenges in containing the insurgency.
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