Niger: Unidentified assailants ambush security post in Diffa Region, May 22

Event

Unidentified assailants ambushed a security post killing one gendarme and kidnapping another along the RN1 road between Maine-Soroa and Diffa, Diffa Region, May 22. Officials did not immediately confirm the incident, but local reports suggested that security operations have been launched to retrieve the victim. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack or asked for any ransom demand yet. Maine-Soroa and Diffa are located at around 10 km (6 miles) north of the Nigerian border.

Context

The attack underscores the severe insecurity and risk of militant attacks across southern Niger and around the Lake Chad region.