The defence ministry reported that two soldiers and a civilian lost their lives in Niger due to a suspected jihadist assault in the volatile Tillaberi region.
According to a statement issued by the ministry late on Wednesday, the assailants, numbering about 20 and riding motorcycles, launched the attack in the Tabala village, located approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of the capital Niamey.
During the clash on Wednesday, three of the attackers were also killed, with authorities currently pursuing the remaining assailants, as stated in the ministry’s release.
This incident represents the second assault within a week in the region. Earlier this week, armed bandits reportedly killed approximately 20 individuals in another village in Tillaberi, as reported by public radio.
The region has long been afflicted by insurgents affiliated with both Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
Tillaberi is situated within the expansive and volatile “three borders” area, spanning Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, where militants have conducted attacks for years despite the extensive presence of anti-jihadist forces.
Following a July coup, Niger is presently governed by military authorities who cited deteriorating security conditions as rationale for assuming power.
Niamey also contends with violence perpetrated by Boko Haram jihadists and their adversaries, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), primarily originating from the southeastern Diffa region near Nigeria.