Niger: Unknown assailants ambush convoy in Tillaberi Region Oct. 20

Event

Unidentified assailants ambushed a local government convoy in the Tillaberi Region the afternoon of Oct. 20. Authorities confirmed the incident, claiming that attackers killed six soldiers and injured three others. The convoy, transporting a local official head of the Bankilare area, was traveling from the locality of Tera towards Bankilare. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet; however, militants affiliated with Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State are likely behind the attack.

Bankilare is located around 60 km (37 miles) east of the border with Burkina Faso and 40 km (25 miles) south of the Malian border.

Context

The raid underscores the pervasive insecurity affecting much of Niger. Armed bandits and militants regularly operate across the southern part of the country, particularly around Lake Chad and in the tri-border region where the borders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso meet. Militants have killed dozens of people in attacks in Tillaberi Region in recent months. Similar militant attacks remain likely in the tri-border region over the medium term.