Niger: Armed men attack a gendarmerie post in Bagaji February 13

Event

Unidentified armed men suspected to be islamist militants attacked a gendarmerie post in Bagaji (Dosso region) on Wednesday, February 13. According to local sources, the assailants killed two gendarmes and one civilian before fleeing toward neighbouring Nigeria. Further such attacks are possible in the near term. 

Context

Niger faces a high threat from terrorism, including armed attacks and abductions. Militant Islamist cells from various Nigerian and Malian terrorist groups - including Boko Haram as well as Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), and Al-Mourabitoun - are all active in the country.

Advice

Individuals throughout Niger should exercise vigilance when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted by an attack (e.g. government buildings, prominent hotels, etc.) and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities.

As a reminder, many Western governments advise their citizens against travel to areas in the north and west of the country, as well areas along the borders with Burkina Faso and Nigeria, due to the high risk of terrorist activity.