Niger: Terrorist attack in Diffa region refugee camp June 28

Event

At least five individuals were killed in a terrorist attack carried out on Wednesday night, June 28, in a refugee camp in Kabaléwa, located in the Diffa region of southern Niger close to the Nigerian border. Two female suicide bombers, allegedly affiliated with Boko Haram, entered the camp sheltering hundreds of refugees around 21:00 (local time). Both assailants detonated their explosives and killed themselves along with three civilians. Several other people were reportedly injured in the explosions.

Context

Niger faces a high threat of terrorism, including attacks and abductions. Islamist militant 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. The Diffa region has seen repeated attacks by Boko Haram and its affiliates, resulting in hundreds of civilian and military casualties and thousands of displaced people. Furthermore, a state of emergency is currently in effect in Niger in the Tillabéri and Tahoua regions, located in western Niger near the border with Mali.

Advice

Visitors throughout the country should be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (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, as well as areas along the Nigerian border to the south, due to the high risk of terrorist activity.