Niger: Rival Boko Haram groups clash near Toumour (Diffa region) Feb. 2

Event

Suspected Boko Haram militants reportedly killed six people from a rival terrorist organization in Bague Djaradi, near Toumour (Diffa region), on Saturday, February 2. According to local reports, the attackers were part of Boko Haram's dissident faction lead by Abubakar Shekau and the victims were suppliers of Abu Mosad Al-Barnawi, official leader of Boko Haram. Further attacks and clashes among Boko Haram militants are possible in Diffa region in the near term.

Context

The Diffa region has been under a state of emergency since February 2015, which has been extended by the government several times. Officials placed the Tillabéry and Tahoua regions under a state of emergency in March 2017 due to an increase in attacks targeting refugee camps and security forces. 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 (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.