Niger: At least 25 soldiers killed in militant attack in Tillabéri January 9

Event

At least 25 soldiers were killed and another six wounded in a militant attack on an army outpost in the town of Chinagodrar (Tillabéri region), near the border with Mali, on Thursday, January 9. According to a government statement, 63 assailants were also killed. No group has claimed responsibility for the assault, though jihadists linked with the Islamic State (IS) group are reportedly active in the area.

A heightened security presence and associated transportation disruptions are to be expected around the site of the attack. Similar militant operations are possible in the region over 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, 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.

Many Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to areas located in the north and west of the country, including areas along the border with Burkina Faso, as well as areas along the Nigerian border to the south, due to the high risk of terrorist activity.