Armed Bandits Kill 16 in Deadly Attacks in Southwestern Niger

Two separate attacks by armed bandits in southwestern Niger have claimed the lives of 16 people, according to state radio reports. The incidents, which bear similarities to jihadist raids in the central Sahel region, have raised concerns about growing insecurity in the area.

State radio reported on Wednesday that the first attack occurred on the night of February 22-23, when bandits gathered residents from a village in Dioundiou and opened fire, killing 14 people. Two nights later, another attack in a neighboring town resulted in the deaths of two more individuals.

The region surrounding Dioundiou, which borders both Nigeria and Benin, is known to be a stronghold for jihadist groups, according to authorities in Niger. Additionally, this area is home to a critical 2,000-kilometre (around 1,200-mile) pipeline that transports Niger’s oil to Benin, making it an area of significant strategic importance.

While the attackers have not yet been identified, the recent spate of violence is suspected to be linked to the ongoing jihadist insurgency that has plagued the wider Sahel region.