Niger: Unidentified assailants kill at least 18 civilians near Bani Bangou, Tillaberi Region, July 27-28

Event

Unidentified assailants attacked civilians in the vicinity of Bani Bangou, Tillaberi Region, July 27-28, killing at least 18 and injuring four others. Local officials confirmed the incident without providing further details; the casualty toll may rise. The exact location of the incident is unclear; although details are still emerging reports indicate the attackers targeted two villages. No group has claimed responsibility yet.

Bani Bangou is located around 180 km (112 miles) north of Niamey, the capital of Niger, and 32km (20 miles) south of the Malian border.

Security forces are likely to maintain a heightened security posture in the affected area in the near term. Further such attacks remain possible.

Context

In recent days, an uptick of attacks has been recorded in the area. Unidentified assailants attacked the village of Wiye in the vicinity of Bani Bangou and killed 14 people July 25.

While armed bandits and militants usually operate across southern Niger, notably around the Lake Chad region and the so-called tri-border area (Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali), northern Niger is usually less prone to such incidents. Similar attacks have nonetheless occurred in the past, including in recent days, and have been attributed to armed bandits, smugglers, or militant Islamist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State.

Advice

Monitor updates. Exercise increased vigilance if traveling in areas recently affected by violence. Plan accordingly for road travel disruptions and heed the instructions of security officials.